Causes of Dupuytren’s disease

What is Dupuytren’s disease?

In Dupuytren’s disease, there is a change in the connective tissue tendon plate on the palm of the hand (at the so-called palmar aponeurosis) in the form of increased collagen formation. Due to the restructuring of the tissue, which can also be felt as a hardened nodular change on the palm, the finger mobility is reduced in patients with Dupuytren’s disease. To be more precise, the ability to stretch, especially the little finger, is limited due to a flexural contracture.

In medical terms, this is referred to as the idiopathic genesis of Dupuytren’s disease, since the exact cause has not been conclusively clarified and only associations or comorbidities with other diseases are known. It is clearer that Dupuytren’s disease occurs mainly in the white population and that men are affected more frequently than women. Typical age of onset of the disease is also 40 to 60 years of age. General information on the clinical picture of Dupuytren’s disease is also important. You will find this in the following article: Dupuytren’s disease

General causes of Dupuytren’s disease

The exact causes leading to Dupuytren’s disease are not yet fully understood. The genetic components alone, i.e. a familial clustering, are considered relatively certain. For all other risk factors or diseases related to Dupuytren’s disease, it has not been fully proven that they have an influence on the development.

As risk factors are on the one hand stimulants such as alcohol and nicotine to call, on the other hand in addition, open injuries within the range of the palm or fractures of the hand – and forearm bones. Repeated stress and strong mechanical strain can also provoke the development of Dupuytren’s disease. The male sex is also considered a predisposing factor: the ratio is approximately 5:1.

Furthermore, organic diseases affecting the liver and pancreas play a role. Accordingly, Dupuytren’s disease is associated with diabetes mellitus and liver cirrhosis. Other diseases are epilepsy, hyperlipidemia and an existing HIV infection.

According to the current state of knowledge, it is also assumed that Dupuytren’s disease occurs more frequently in combination with rheumatic diseases or autoimmune disease patterns. An important differential diagnosis is the so-called Kamptodakytlie. This is a congenital alteration of the little finger: namely a bending contracture as in Dupuytren’s disease.

In rare cases, the ring finger may also be affected. A camptodactyly, on the other hand, has existed since birth and is thus genetically pre-termined. Dupuytren’s disease also has a genetic component, but many other risk factors or organic diseases influence the development and also the severity of Dupuytren’s contracture. In addition to Dupuytren’s disease, other hand diseases may also be present. This article will give you an overview of these: Diseases of the hand