CRYOGLOBULINEMIC NEUROPATHY - LACK OF PROGRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH GOOD HEMATOLOGICAL CONTROL

Nine consecutive patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia type II (EMCII) were investigated by a follow-up study of 3-6 years (mean 5 .3), to verify the long-term outcome of the peripheral nerve involveme nt in the disease. At the beginning of the study, a peripheral neuropa thy, mild or moderate, mainly sensory, was present approximately in 50 % of cases. All patients maintained good general conditions, low-stagi ng of EMCII, were well controlled by therapy or did not need any medic al treatment. During the neurological follow-up all patients had regul ar controls, usually at 1-year intervals, and only slight changes were seen with respect to the first evaluation. Therefore, we conclude tha t peripheral neuropathy during EMCII is less progressive than it can b e thought at least in patients with benign course of the disease.