Abstract

In order to investigate the prognostic value of possible risk factors for Dupuytren’s diathesis, clinical parameters on disease presentation in an operated group of patients were compared with self-reported recurrence after a minimum 2 years follow-up. In order of significance, the following factors were found to be significantly correlated with disease recurrence : age of onset under 50 years (p = 0.01), bilateral disease (p = 0.01), Ledderhose disease (p = 0.01), first ray involvement (p = 0.02), multiple ray involvement (more than 2 digits, p = 0.02), ectopic fibromatosis (p = 0.02), family occurrence (p = 0.04) and male gender (p = 0.05). No correlation of self-reported disease recurrence was seen with diabetes, frozen shoulder syndrome or epilepsy. An insight in the significance of the influence of specific risk factors on recurrence rates, helps in creating a clearer representation of Dupuytren’s diathesis. This will help the surgeon to more accurately inform the patient and possibly to reconsider and adjust the choice in treatment options.