What are the main clinical features of Cryoglobulinaemia?

• Raynaud's only seen in type I
• cutaneous
  • vascular purpura
  • distal ulceration
  • ulceration
• arthralgia
• renal involvement (diffuse glomerulonephritis)

What is the management of Cryoglobulinaemia?

• treatment of underlying condition e.g. hepatitis C
• immunosuppression
• plasmapheresis

What is the pathophysiology of Cryoglobulinaemia?

Cryoglobulins are abnormal proteins in the blood, these proteins clump together in the cold

What are useful investigations with Cryoglobulinaemia?

• low complement (esp. C4)
• high ESR

What are the subtypes of Cryoglobulinaemia?

three types, I, II & III

What is type I Cryoglobulinaemia?

• monoclonal - IgG or IgM
• associations: multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia

What is type II Cryoglobulinaemia?

• mixed monoclonal and polyclonal: usually with rheumatoid factor
• associations: hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's, lymphoma

What is type III Cryoglobulinaemia?

• polyclonal: usually with rheumatoid factor
• associations: rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's