Hello!

According to Drs. Marie Badalamente and Lawrence Hurst, the condition we know as Dupuytren's Contracture was mentioned in Early European medical literature as far back as the 1600s. In the early 1800s, Baron Guillaume Dupuytren studied contracture of the palmar fascia and performed surgery on patients who had what we now call Dupuytren's Contracture.

Genetics seem to play a key role in DC, which may explain why we don't hear more about DC appearing in less affluent/developed societies. I once read an interesting web page (I tried to find the link for you, but could not) about studies regarding the genetic spread of the disease. Studying the vector of DC, scientists seem convinced that the Vikings provided the genetic pool for the disease and spread it as they conquered other countries. Hence, most people with the disease have Northern European ancestors. Many are also Celtic--particularly from parts of the British Isles that were invaded by the Vikings. Only a few cases have shown in patients of non-European ancestry.

I'll try to find the URL for the web site with the information. I'm guessing you'd be interested.

Like you, I find it interesting that this condition is localized in the hands (plus in the feet for those with plantar fibromatosis and in the penis for men with Peyronie's Disease). I can only guess that there is something unique about the connective tissue in these areas of our bodies--after all, in each area, the relationship of skin to the underlying tissues is very important for grip, traction, friction, and sensation. This is just my speculation, but maybe the connective tissues in these areas are unique.

You may be interested in the following site, which has information about the aetiology and pathoanatomy of DC:

http://wheeless.belgianorthoweb.be/o2/192.htm

Best wishes,

L.