Cryofibrinogenemia — What Is Its Clinical Significance?

Many patients with positive CF results have Raynaud phenomenon, but the ramifications are unclear.

Cryofibrinogen is a plasma precipitate that arises in cold temperatures and becomes soluble at body temperature. Cryofibrinogenemia (CF) is a disorder that can be essential (also known as primary or idiopathic CF) or secondary to a variety of disorders, including autoimmune diseases, malignancies, infections, drug reactions, and thromboembolic disorders. Measurement of CF is easier than measurement of cryoglobulins. The significance of a finding of CF in clinical practice is not fully understood. In my referral practice, we have ordered tests for cryofibrinogen and cryoglobulin, but a finding of CF has not altered therapeutic decisions or subsequent evaluation.

These authors examined patients with positive test results for CF. Among 227 pati…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)