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Rheumatology 2002; 41: 290-300
© 2002 British Society for Rheumatology

Original Papers

Characteristics and outcome of 49 patients with symptomatic cryoglobulinaemia

V. Rieu, P. Cohen, M.-H. André, L. Mouthon, P. Godmer, B. Jarrousse, F. Lhote, F. Ferrière1, P. Dény2, P. Buchet3 and L. Guillevin

Departments of Internal Medicine,
1 Biochemistry,
2 Virology and
3 Nephrology, Hôpital Avicenne, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Nord, 125 rue de Stalingrad, 93009 Bobigny Cedex, France

Objective. To describe a population of patients with symptomatic cryoglobulinaemia, comparing manifestations and outcome as a function of hepatitis C virus (HCV) status.

Patients and methods. A retrospective study on 179 patients who tested positive for cryoglobulins, seen between 1978 and 1998 in an internal medicine department.

Results. Among 179 cryoglobulin-positive patients, only 49 (18 men, 31 women; mean age 59.96±12 yr) had clinical manifestations attributable to cryoglobulinaemia. Thirty-three had HCV infection, 20 had systemic autoimmune diseases, two had haematological diseases, one had human immunodeficiency virus and HCV co-infection, one had HCV and HBV co-infection and six had essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia. The clinical manifestations and cryoglobulin levels in HCV+ and HCV- patients did not differ significantly. Only arthralgias and elevated transaminases were significantly more frequent in HCV+ patients (P<0.02 and <0.05, respectively). Five-year survival rates were comparable for HCV+ and HCV- patients. Eight patients died (six HCV+, two HCV-), with a median time between diagnosis and death of 38.7 months.

Conclusion. Clinical manifestations of cryoglobulinaemia, except arthralgias, were comparable for HCV+ and HCV- patients. When systemic manifestations are present, the prognosis is poor despite intensive or prolonged therapy.

KEY WORDS: Cryoglobulinaemia, HCV, Interferon alpha, Plasma exchange, Prognosis, Mortality.

Correspondence to: L. Guillevin.


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 Annals of Clinical & Laboratory ScienceHome page
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