Cryofibrinogenemia is also often associated with the inflammatory vasculitis that accompanies mixed Cryoglobulinemia#Classification, i.e. cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, particularly but not exclusively in instances where hepatitis C virus is an underlining disease. Autoimmune disease-associated cryofibrinogenemia
A broad range of autoimmune diseases have been reported to be associated with cryofibrinogenemia. These diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Hashimoto disease, Graves disease, sarcoidosis, pyoderma gangrenosum, spondyloarthropathy, Crohns disease, and ulcerative colitis. Cryofibrinogenemic disease
Symptoms and signs
Cryofibrinogenemic disease commonly begins in adults aged 40–50 years old with symptoms of the diseases occurring in the almost always affected organ, skin. Cutaneous symptoms include one or more of the following: cold contact-induced urticarial (which may be the first sign of the disease); painful episodes of finger and/or toe arterial spasms termed Raynaud phenomena; cyanosis, a palpable purpura termed cryofibrinogenemic purpura), and a lace-like purplish discoloration termed livedo reticularis all of which occur primarily in the lower extremities but some of which may occur in the nose, ears, and buttocks; non-healing painful ulcerations and gangrene of the areas impacted by the cited symptoms. Patients also have a history of cold sensitivity (~25% of cases), arthralgia (14–58%), neuritis (7–19%), myalgia (0–14%); and overt thrombosis of arteries and veins (25–40%) which may on rare occasions involve major arteries such of those of the brain and kidney. Signs of renal involvement (proteinuria, hematuria, decreased glomerular filtration rate, and/or, rarely, renal failure) occur in 4 to 25% of cases.
This gene suffers mutations that cause the PABPN1 protein to have extra alanine (amino acids), this manifests itself physically in the symptoms of this MD.The expansion caused by the mutations on the PABPN1 gene ultimately interrupts the cellular mechanics of poly(A) RNA. In most cases oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy is inherited via autosomal dominance.The alleles, which are a variant form of a gene involved in this form of MD are:  PABPN1, (GCG)n EXPANSION, (GCG)8-13, PABPN1, (GCG)n EXPANSION, (GCG)7 and PABPN1, GLY12ALA. Diagnosis
The diagnosis of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy can be done via two methods, a muscle biopsy or a blood draw with genetic testing for GCG trinucleotide expansions in the PABPN1 gene. The genetic blood testing is more common. Additionally, a distinction between OPMD and myasthenia gravis or mitochondrial myopathy must be made, in regards to the differential diagnosis of this condition. Treatment
Currently no cure or specific treatment exists to eliminate the symptoms or stop the disease progression. A consistent diet planned with the help of a dietitian along with exercises taught by a speech therapist can assist with mild symptoms of dysphagia. Surgical intervention can also help temporarily manage symptoms related to the ptosis and dysphagia. Cutting one of the throat muscles internally, an operation called cricopharyngeal myotomy, can be one way to ease symptoms in more severe cases. However, for a majority of people, the benefits from such treatments are only temporary. There is currently no treatment available to address the proximal limb weakness.