MIXED CRYOGLOBULINEMIA IN GREECE - PRIMARY DISORDERS IN 10 CASES

Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is a systemic disorder whose pathogenesis is based on the presence of serum cryoglobulins. The purpose of this s tudy was to evaluate on a prospective basis patients presenting with M C with regard to the clinical manifestations and the underlying disord ers. We present ten patients with MC, who were diagnosed and followed up during a one year period in the Division of autoimmune rheumatic di seases (Clinical Department of Pathophysiology). MC was associated wit h hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in two cases, with hepatitis B vir us (HBV) infection in six, one patient had both HCV and evidence of HB V infection. while the remaining three patients fulfilled European cla ssification criteria for diagnosis of Sjogren's sydrome (SS). In all t en cases, the presence of an underlying factor was identified, being e ither viral or autoimmune. It is concluded therefore that all patients presenting with MC should be completely evaluated for a hepatitis vir us infection or an autoimmune or lymphoproliferative disorder. Further more, since the initiation of the process of MC is triggered by many f actors, research should be directed towards the identification of the underlying common denominator.