Treatment of One Case with Cryoglobulinaemia Secondary to Connective Tissue Disease with Small Doses of Rituximab

West Indian Med J. 2016 Apr 4;65(2):398-400. doi: 10.7727/wimj.2014.384.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to observe the clinical efficacy of low-dose rituximab in patients with cryoglobulinaemia secondary to connective tissue diseases.

Methods: Rituximab (100 mg) was infused in patients once a week for four weeks, combined with prednisone (20 mg) once a day, and reduced regularly. Treatment effect was observed regularly.

Results: Joint pain, fever, rash and fatigue symptoms in patients eased. The serology (globulin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and others) parameters returned to normal.

Conclusion: Low-dose rituximab therapy for cryoglobulinaemia secondary to connective tissue diseases was safe and effective, and can be used as a treatment option in this condition.

Keywords: Connective tissue disease; cryoglobulinaemia; rituximab.