[Etiology of Dupuytren's contracture].

Dupuytren's contracture is a connective tissue disorder characterized by contractile palmar aponeurosis leading to shortening and progressive digital flexion deformity. Various investigators have proposed many theories and documented several findings regarding the aetiology of Dupuytren's contracture. However, none of them explains the causes well enough. Most studies have found relationships between the disorder and manual labor, previous hand injures, genetic susceptibility, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, high cholesterol level profile and intake of either alcohol or tobacco. However, according to others, the evidence on risk factors associated with certain lifestyles has been conflicting. This article reviews the most common theories regarding the aetiology of Dupuytren's contracture such as genetic, microinjury, immunological, toxic and ischaemic theories.