Cryoglobulinemia in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Background: Renal failure patients submitted to chronic hemodialysis can present with cryoglobulinemia. There are few studies on cryoglobulins in chronic hemodialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and to identify the components of cryoglobulins in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Fifty-four patients on chronic hemodialysis were evaluated for the presence of cryoglobulins, after inclusion and exclusion criteria. The components of the cryoprecipitate were analyzed.

Results: Cryoglobulins were detected in 83% (45/54) of the patients on chronic hemodialysis. The cryoprecipitate was constituted by IgG, IgM, IgA, and complement fractions C3 and C4.

Conclusion: We concluded that there was a high prevalence of cryoglobulins in chronic hemodialysis patients, and the cryoprecipitate was constituted by IgG, IgM, IgA, and complement fractions C3 and C4.