Don't take the Vikings too serious. Dupuytren's exists all over the world and the first known case of Dupuytren's is probably an Egyptian mummy http://www.dupuytren-online.info/dupuytr...stribution.html.

Wolfgang

Edited 09/16/12 17:52

I don't of any reports that say Queen Elizabeth (I or II) has/had a Dupuytrens condition. Other famous leaders such as Margaret Tatcher and the late Ronald Reagan etc. are reported suffers of Dupuytrens.

There is no known cause of Dupuytren’s contracture, however genetics do seem to play a role, as 70% of those diagnosed have a family history of the condition. Men are more prone than women and white northern Europeans develop the condition more than other ethnicities. There are also many patients who can connect incidences of hand trauma to onset of the disease. So if you have a family history, don't go learning how to play hand drums and hit them until your fingers bleed. That's how I got here.