This is a bit of a long shot...

Most common genetic diseases carry some benefit or they would not be widespead in the population. eg. Sickle cell anemia is the double gene - in the single form it gives significant protection against maleria. Likewise, cystic fibrosis evolved in communities with high rates of tuberculosis as the single form of the gene helped protect against the disease.

If Dupuytren's is widespread among northern Europeans, what other common factor do these people have? If we could find any connection, would it lead to earlier diagnosis of Dupuytren's? (with the greater range of treatment options that exist with diagnosis before serious contracture begins)

Wolfgang mentioned that stretching might possibly make Dupuytren's worse.

I'm hypermobile - that is to say that my joints bend much further than most people's.

Do any other people with Dupuytren's regard themselves as unusually flexible?

Do you know of anything else that Dupuytren's suffers have in common?

I’m actually the complete opposite of this. I have terrible flexibility. Tight muscles. Actually my natural path thinks its potentially is all connected to my dups.