[Clinical analysis of 8 cases with cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis]

To study the clinical and pathological features of cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis.

The clinical and pathologic data from 8 cases with cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis, which were referred to Peking University First Hospital from 2002 to 2006, were reviewed.

There were seven males and one female, with an average age of 48.6 +/- 13.6 years. Most of the patients were referred as primary glomerulonephritis and the mean interval from onset to diagnosis was 19 months. 5 cases showed positive result with blood cryoglobulin test as inferred from renal biopsy. At the time of diagnosis 5 cases (5/8) showed nephritic syndrome and 3 (3/8) progression of renal failure. Fifty percent of the patients died in 6 months during the two-year follow-up. The main pathological pattern was membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (7/8) with glomerular subendothelial deposits and intraluminal thrombi. Four cases (4/8) were associated with lymphoproliferative disorders and only one case with HCV infection.

Cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis was not rare. Most of the patients were diagnosed at a late stage with a poor prognosis in China. It should draw a special attention of the clinicians.