Risk factors in Dupuytren's diathesis: is recurrence after surgery predictable?

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.