Cryoglobulinemia is a rare condition in which abnormal immunoglobulins, cryoglobulins, are produced in the blood plasma. Cryoglobulins form conglomerates and precipitate reversibly below 37ºC. This can lead to inflammation of the blood vessels, that is, vasculitis.
What Causes Cryoglobulinemia
Cryoglobulinemia is usually associated with an underlying disease. The most frequent diseases are:
- Hepatitis C virus infection ,
- Some hematological diseases such as chronic lymphatic leukemia, macroglobulinemia or multiple myeloma,
- Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Cryoglobulinemia is more common in women and usually appears in middle age.
How it Manifests
Milder cases are generally asymptomatic. The clinical manifestations of vasculitis are variable and can lead to joint pain, fatigue, skin lesions in the form of purpura (small reddish spots due to extravasation of blood on the skin) or Raynaud’s phenomenon (appearance of intense paleness and painful in the fingers and toes in relation to the cold). In the most severe forms, kidney and liver function are affected and can be fatal.
How is it Diagnosed
The diagnosis is based on the detection of cryoglobulins in blood samples kept under special conditions.
Treatment
Treatment of cryoglobulinemia consists of treating the underlying disease that is causing the disorder, that is, treating the hepatitis C virus, myeloma, or autoimmune disease.
Asymptomatic cases do not require specific treatment for cryoglobulins. In patients with cryoglobulinemia it is advisable to avoid exposure to low temperatures and protect themselves from cold, especially in the hands and feet.
Depending on the symptoms, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs can be administered.
In the most serious cases or when there is a danger of fatal complications, plasmapheresis or plasma exchange is performed . This is a technique in which a machine extracts the blood, it is circulated through filters that separate the plasma (where the cryoglobulins are found) from the rest of the blood components, and it is replaced by a colloid solution. The blood then returns to the body free of cryoglobulins.
What you should know…
- Cryoglobulinemia is a rare condition in which abnormal immunoglobulins, cryoglobulins, are produced in the blood plasma, forming clumps and can cause vasculitis.
- Milder cases are generally asymptomatic. In the most severe forms, kidney and liver function are affected and can be fatal.
- Treatment of cryoglobulinemia consists of treating the underlying disease that is causing the disorder, that is, treating the hepatitis C virus, myeloma, or autoimmune disease.
