[Cryofibrinogenemia: a single-center study at the University Hospital of Toulouse, France]

Cryofibrinogenemia is an unknown disorder and studies dedicated to it are limited. The aim of our study was to report on the incidence, clinical manifestations and associated diseases in patients with isolated cryofibrinogenemia.

This is a retrospective single-center study. Patients included in this study had a positive and isolated detection of cryofibrinogen between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2012. Identification was possible through the database of the laboratory of immunology.

Two hundred and eighty-one consecutive orders of cryofibrinogenemia were identified. Seventy-three patients had a positive detection of cryofibrinogenemia. Among them, 12 had an isolated cryofibrinogenemia and sixty-one patients (84%) had concomitant cryofibrinogenemia and cryoglobulinemia. The mean age was 59±19years. Seven patients were female (58%). Cutaneous manifestations were present in half case. Peripheral nerve involvement was present in 5 cases (42%) and rheumatic manifestations in 4 patients (33%). A thrombotic event was reported in 7 patients (58%). Renal impairment was present in 7 patients. The median cryofibrinogen concentration was 254±304mg/L. Five patients had a secondary cryofibrinogenemia. The most often prescribed treatment was corticosteroids.

Cryofibrinogenemia is an unknown disorder. Testing for cryoglobulinemia is more frequent than for cryofibrinogenemia whereas clinical manifestations are similar. Detection of cryofibrinogen is positive in most of the cases, with an important prevalence of thrombotic events in this population. This study confirms the importance of conducting prospective studies on cryofibrinogenemia.