Sjögren's syndrome complicated by cryoglobulinaemia and acute renal failure
Van Eer, M.Y.; Netten, P.M.; Schrijver, G.; Assmann, K.J.; Wollersheim, H.
Netherlands Journal of Medicine 39(1-2): 23-27
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-2977 PMID: 1843851 Document Number: 383806
A patient is described with Sjögren's syndrome and an IgM-kappa gammopathy. With time cryoglobulins, the cause of acute renal failure, could be detected. The kidney biopsy showed a proliferative glomerulonephritis as is frequently seen with mixed cryoglobulinaemia. Plasmapheresis and immunosuppression resulted in long-term improvement of kidney function. The differential diagnosis of acute renal failure of glomerular origin in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome is discussed. This case report illustrates once more the consequences of monoclonal B-cell lymphocyte activation in Sjögren's syndrome.