ABSTRACT

Introduction: The hepatitis C vírus (HCV) infection is associated with many extrahepatic manifestations. The mechanisms are autoimmunes or limphoproliferatives.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia in the patients with HCV infection.

Pacients and methods: Sixty seven patients with HCV chronic hepatitis were prospectively and consecutively studied. They were evaluated for the presence of cryoglobulins, autoantibodies and symptoms related to cryoglobulins.

Results: The presence of cryoglobulins was detected in 18 patients (27%). When this group with cryoglobulins was compared to the others it was observed: women were more prevalent in the cryoglobulin group (72% × 51%); the mean age was 49,8± 9,3 × 46,3± 13; mean ALT was 114,05 × 119,18; genotype ? 1: 67% × 37%; cirrhosis: 22% × 14%; artralgia: 39% × 28%; FAN: 11% × 6%; reumathoid factor: 53% × 29%; anti-thyreoglobulin antibody: 5% × 8%; and anti-microssomal antibody: 5% × 2%. Clinical cryoglobulinemic syndrome was diagnosed in 2 patients (11%) and one of them presented cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis.

Conclusion: The prevalence of mixed cryoglobulinemia in patients with HCV infection is high, however the clinical syndrome is not frequently detected.

Key words: Hepatitis C, Cryoglobulin, Hepatitis C Virus Infection.