How Common Is Dupuytren's Disease?
Dupuytren's disease most commonly affects people of northern European heritage. It is rare in people of African or Asian descent. Heredity is thought to be a factor, because Dupuytren's disease tends to occur most often among close family members.
The risk of Dupuytren's disease increases with age. It occurs most often in people age 50 and older.1 Men are 7 to 15 times more likely than women to have severe Dupuytren's disease that requires surgical treatment. Older women often develop a milder form of the disease.2 Dupuytren's disease is very rare in children.
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis -- Symptoms
Not everyone develops all of the following symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis of the spine. What you experience depends on the severity of the condition: Stiffness and pain in the lower back, buttocks, and hips upon waking in the morning or after a period of inactivity Back pain relieved by movement and exercise Difficulty bending the spine Pain in the hips and difficulty walking Pain in the heels and soles of the feet Bent-over posture Straightening of the norm...
Read the Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis -- Symptoms article > >
Up to 30% of men older than 65 with a Northern European genetic background will have Dupuytren's disease.3 Many of these will not need treatment.
Citations
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics (2005). Dupuytren disease. In LY Griffin, ed., Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, 3rd ed., pp. 331-332. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Saar JD, Grothaus PC (2000). Dupuytren's disease: An overview. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 106(1): 125-134.
Brown AN, Gilkeson GS (2005). Fibrosing diseases: Diabetic stiff hand syndrome, Dupuytren's contracture, palmar and plantar fasciitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and Peyronie's disease. In WJ Koopman, LW Moreland, eds., Arthritis and Allied Conditions: A Textbook of Rheumatology, 15th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2093-2108. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Today in Arthritis
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.