CRYOGLOBULINEMIA PREVALANCE AND RELATION WITH HCV INFECTION IN CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

The association between essential mixed cryoglobulinemia and HCV infection is well recognized. This study was designed to investigate the association between HCV infection and cryoglobulinemia as well as its clinical and laboratory findings in chronic haemodialysis patients amongs whom the incidence of HCV infection is known to be high.

92 cases of end stage renal failure on chronic haemodialysis treatment followed in Marmara University and Başkent University Haemodialysis units were involved in the study. We studied cryoglobulin levels in 52 HCV (+) and 40 HCV(-) patients on chronic hemodialysis treatment Circulating cryoglobulins were found in 17 (%32.6) of the 52 HCV (+) patients and in none of the HCV (-) patients. The cryoglobulins were classified as type III in on cases and identification was not possible in the remaining 7 cases. The cryoglobulinemia and liver function tests. ESR, IgG, IgM, C^ and C^ levels.

Our data confirm the close link between HCV infection and cryoglobulinemia and that the prevalance of circulating cryoglobulins in uremic HCV(+) patients is very close to that found in HCV related liver disease reported in literature. We plan to follow up these cases to determine prospectively the risk of development of cryoglobulinemia syndrome.