[Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with type Ⅱ cryoglobulinemia]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with type Ⅱ cryoglobulinemia in our center. Methods: Clinical data of 61 patients diagnosed with type Ⅱ cryoglobulinemia in Peking Union Medical College hospital from May 2015 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 61 patients were enrolled in the study, including 26 (42.6%) males, with a median age of 53 (range 28-79) years. The primary diseases identified were hepatitis C virus infection (21.3%) , hepatitis B virus infection (21.3%) , autoimmune diseases (14.8%) , and hematological tumors (11.5%) . Idiopathic cryoglobulinemia patients accounted for 19 cases (31.1%) . The major symptoms presented were purpura, proteinuria, hematuria, renal failure, fever and arthralgia. The median concentration of cryoglobulin level was 215.9 (22.0-17 075.8) g/L, and the IgM-monoclonal component of cryoglobulin was identified in 54 patients (88.5%) . Rheumatoid factor increased in 93.2% of patients. C3 decreased in 57.6% of patients. C4 decreased in 61.0% of patients. Treatment was initiated in 49 patients (80.3%) , and the total clinical remission rate was 75.5%. The expected 3-year overall survival was 89.3%. Conclusion: Type Ⅱ cryoglobulinemia was a systemic disease with multi-organ involvement. Most type Ⅱ CGs were secondary to hepatitis virus infection. Early diagnosis and proper treatment could bring better outcome.