Significant Risk Factors Of Dupuytren's Contracture

Gender

Increased risk factors have been determined and strongly supported in certain genders at different ages. The occurrence of Dupuytren's contracture in men is three times greater then it is in women for most age groups. Around eighty percent of all individuals diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture are men. Males are also more likely to develop the deformity at a younger age and experience it in a more severe form than women. It is estimated one of every ten men in their fifties are affected by Dupuytren's contracture. When the age increases to men in their seventies, it is estimated this deformity affects one in every four men. Only one in every ten women in their seventh decade of life are affected by Dupuytren's contracture. It is only when the age group exceeds eighty-five years old that the incidence of this deformity is slightly higher in women than it is in men. The exact mechanism of this incidence is not clear, but the androgen receptor expression in the Dupuytren fascia in men has been said to play a role in it.

Family History

One of the strongest increased risk factors for Dupuytren's contracture is a family history of the deformity. The ratio of the sibling reoccurrence risk of this deformity is 2.9. Dupuytren's contracture is characterized by a tough cord of tissue that develops in the hand abnormally. The tissues in this cord have shown to display an upregulation and increase of the MafB gene. The MafB gene, which can be inherited, plays a role in specific processes that pertain to cell differentiation and the development of tissues. It has also been proven a maternal genome that can be inherited causes dysfunctional mitochondria in certain cells. These mitochondria result in the high generation of free radicals in the localized region of specific tissues. This dysfunctional mitochondria also produce a defective process of cell death. These genetic abnormalities cause a proliferation of cells in the hand where the thick cord develops in Dupuytren's contracture. Genetic factors have also been identified that involve polymorphism in the region of mitochondrial DNA identified as 16s rRNA. Familial histories that include trisomy seven and trisomy eight have been shown to increase the risk of developing the deformity. Any inherited disorders that cause peripheral nerve damage can also increase an individual's risk.