Cryoglobulinemia is the presence of abnormal proteins in the blood. These proteins thicken in cold temperatures.Jan 31, 2021
Valid for SubmissionICD-10:D89.1Short Description:CryoglobulinemiaLong Description:Cryoglobulinemia
What causes cryoglobulinemia? Cryoglobulinemia can be present alone ("idiopathic") or can be associated with other diseases such as: Infection, particularly hepatitis C infection. Blood cell abnormalities such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma.Feb 1, 2019
Cryoglobulinemia is commonly treated with corticosteroids such as prednisone, and medications that suppress the immune system. Antiviral drugs are prescribed when HCV is present. Left untreated, the disease can cause permanent tissue and organ damage, so it is important to seek prompt medical care when symptoms appear.
Mixed cryoglobulinemia is believed to be an immune-mediated disorder (in which the immune system response to chronic infection causes damage to various tissues) or an autoimmune disorder (in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissue).
Diagnosis of cryoglobulinemia involves a blood test in which the sample must be kept at normal body temperature, 98.6 F (37 C), for a period of time before being cooled. Inaccurate test results can occur if the blood sample isn't handled properly.Jan 18, 2022
The diagnosis of a cryoglobulinemia syndrome should be suspected in patients presenting with arthralgia, purpura, skin ulcers, glomerulonephritis, and peripheral neuropathy.Jun 23, 2021
Secondary cryoglobulinemia is best managed with treatment of the underlying malignancy or associated disease. Otherwise, cryoglobulinemia is treated simply with suppression of the immune response. A paucity of controlled studies evaluating the relative efficacy of various therapies limits the use of existing data.May 25, 2021
Your treatment team may include specialists in blood (hematologists), connective tissue and arthritis (rheumatologists), liver diseases (hepatologists), the nervous system (neurologists), the kidneys (nephrologists), and other areas as needed.Jan 18, 2022
Cryoglobulinemia may lead to a variety of systemic complications, including purpura, arthritis, glomerulonephritis, and peripheral neuropathy, which could be potentially disabling.
Cryoglobulins typically precipitate at temperatures below normal body temperature (37°C) and will dissolve again if the blood is heated. The precipitated clump can block blood vessels and cause toes and fingers to become gangrenous.
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