Interesting Facts of Cryoglobulinemia
1. Mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is an immune complex-mediated small-vessel vasculitis commonly associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, systemic autoimmune diseases (especially Sjögren’s syndrome), and lymphoproliferative disorders.
2. Palpable purpura, weakness, and arthralgias are the most common manifestations of mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, but renal involvement is most closely associated with a poor prognosis.
3. Rituximab (RTX) is the recommended treatment for HCV-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis in the setting of progressive, organ-threatening disease, particularly when used in combination with antiviral (AV) agents.
