Significant Risk Factors Of Dupuytren's Contracture

Diabetes

Individuals affected by both types of diabetes are at an increased risk of forming Dupuytren's contracture. In fact, around one-fifth of all diabetes patients are affected by this deformity. Additionally, diabetes patients only make up five percent of all individuals diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture. Both type one and type two diabetes increase an individual's risk for the deformity, but it affects patients with type one diabetes more often. Oddly, the male-female gender distribution out of all diabetes patients affected by Dupuytren's contracture is equal. A couple of mechanisms are said to play a role in this factor. Individuals with diabetes use insulin and oral hypoglycemics to help manage their disease, which may contribute to the development of the deformity. These medications can induce microvascular changes that may cause the area in the hand to become locally hypoxic. This local lack of oxygen triggers a chain reaction that can lead to the formation of the abnormal cord in the hand. Additionally, diabetes patients are more likely to suffer from peripheral nerve damage due to high blood sugar levels. Peripheral nerve damage contributes to the pathophysiology of Dupuytren's contracture.

Epilepsy Medication

It has been known for nearly half a century that epilepsy patients tend to have a higher incidence of Dupuytren's contracture than the average population. After investigation into this prevalence, the researchers came to the conclusion that epilepsy medication is the main cause. Prolonged administration of anticonvulsants can lead patients to develop Dupuytren's contracture. In the original study of epilepsy patients, fifty-six percent also went on to develop Dupuytren's contracture. The majority of the lesions were symmetrical and bilateral, and they tended to be associated with plantar nodules and knuckle pads. At the same time, the researchers didn't develop any known correlation between Dupuytren's contracture and frozen shoulder. During the study, patients appeared to have a heightened chance of Dupuytren's contracture regardless of what kind of epilepsy they had. At the time of the study, anticonvulsants other than phenobarbitone had only been introduced recently. The study indicated these anticonvulsants also increased a patient's chances of developing Dupuytren's contracture in addition to phenobarbitone.