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Cryoglobulinemia

Joanna Jiang, MD and Dongsheng Jiang, MS, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Cryoglobulins (CGs) consist of immunoglobulins (Igs) and complement precipitating in serum and plasma.

  • CGs precipitate at cold temperatures 98.6°F (<37°C) and dissolve on rewarming...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Type I

    • Commonly asymptomatic

    • More frequent association with signs of peripheral vessel occlusion (e.g., Raynaud phenomenon, acrocyanosis, livedo reticularis, purpura, ulcers, gangrene), less w...

TREATMENT

  • Goals:

    • Symptomatic management of vasculitis and/or hyperviscosity and limit damage caused by circulating immune complexes

    • Limit or suppress B-lymphocyte proliferation.

    • Eradicate HCV (if applica...

ONGOING CARE

DIET

Mixed CG: Low-antigen content (LAC) diet is suggested for symptomatic improvement (no meat except turkey; no eggs, dairy products, or food additives; no preservatives; no beverages ex...

REFERENCES

1
Desbois AC, Cacoub P, Saadoun D. Cryoglobulinemia: An update in 2019. Joint Bone Spine. 2019;86(6):707–713. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2019.01.016.
2
Takada  S, Shimizu  T,...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Alpers  CE, Smith  KD. Cryoglobulinemia and renal disease. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens.  2008; 17(3): 243– 249.

  • ...

CODES

ICD10

D89.1 Cryoglobulinemia 

SNOMED

  • 30911005 cryoglobulinemia (disorder)

  • 38675009 Monoclonal cryoimmunoglobulinemia (disorder)

  • 44371002 Mixed polyclonal cryoimmunoglobulinemia (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • CGs are circulating Igs that precipitate at cold temperatures (below 37°C) and dissolve on rewarming.

  • Type I: associated with lymphoproliferative disorders (e.g., multiple myeloma, Wald...

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