Dupuytren's Diathesis Revisited: Evaluation of Prognostic Indicators for Risk of Disease Recurrence

Purpose: The term diathesis relates to certain features of Dupuytren's disease (DD) and dictates an aggressive course of disease. The initial description of DD diathesis included 4 factors: (1) ethnicity, (2) family history, (3) bilateral DD, and (4) ectopic lesions (DD outside the palm). The degree of diathesis is considered important in predicting recurrence and extension of DD after surgical management. Prognostic indicators of risks associated with surgery are important. We aimed to evaluate these 4 factors and known associated risk factors to formulate a statistical predictive value for DD diathesis. Methods: Caucasian patients diagnosed with DD between the ages of 25 and 90 years (n = 322) from Northwest England were assessed for DD diathesis with a clinical history and examination. DD diathesis assessment was analyzed by calculating the odds ratios of developing recurrent DD using logistic regression. Results: The observed recurrence rates in the presence of notable risk factors and corresponding odds ratios of recurrent DD were calculated. Of note, recurrent disease was observed in 121 (46%) males, 105 (47%) with bilateral DD, 68 (48%) with a family history of DD, 75 (47%) with age at onset younger than 50 years, 35 (52%) in those with ectopic lesions, and in 26 (63%) with Garrod's pads. Conclusions: The original DD diathesis factors have been evaluated and modified. The original factors of family history, bilateral DD, and ectopic lesions now include 2 additional factors: male gender and age at onset of younger than 50 years. Family history and ectopic disease have now been modified to specify family history with one or more affected siblings/parents and ectopic lesions in the knuckles (Garrod's pads) alone. The presence of all new DD diathesis factors in a patient increases the risk of recurrent DD by 71% compared with a baseline risk of 23% in those DD patients with none of the earlier-described factors. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic II. © 2006 American Society for Surgery of the Hand.