Treatment with sulfinpyrazone of essential mixed cryoglobulinemia

Platelet production time (PPT), circulating platelet aggregates (CPA ratio) and plasma beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) were determined in patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC) before and after two months' treatment with sulfinpyrazone. Sulfinpyrazone determined a clinical improvement in 8 of the 16 patients. Basal PPT and CPA ratio were reduced compared with normal values but not significantly; after sulfinpyrazone treatment both PPT and CPA ratio increased to normal levels. High plasma beta TG levels were found before and after treatment. These data suggest that in some cases of EMC there is a picture of in vivo platelet activation, but with the small number of patients it was not possible to evaluate a possible correlation between platelet hyperactivity and the clinical picture.