{"id":4853,"date":"2019-03-13T12:30:39","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T12:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=4853"},"modified":"2022-02-07T08:06:59","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T08:06:59","slug":"12-causes-that-increase-the-chances-of-getting-dupuytrens-contracture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/12-causes-that-increase-the-chances-of-getting-dupuytrens-contracture\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Causes That Increase the Chances of Getting Dupuytren’s Contracture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dupuytren’s contracture is described as an involuntary contracture of the hands and fingers that can make mundane tasks such as shaking hands or typing very difficult. Doctors aren\u2019t sure what the exact cause of it is, but they know that there are many risk factors that increase your odds of getting the disease at some point in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are far too many risk factors to list in this article, and if we tried we\u2019d be here all day, so we\u2019re just going to have a look at eight of the most common and well-researched risk factors that could lead to Dupuytren’s contracture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that while these are the most common risk factors, they aren\u2019t the only ones. You should still go for a checkup if you notice yourself coming down with the symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture even if you don\u2019t carry any of the risk factors expressed in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Age is one of the main risk factors of Dupuytren\u2019s contracture<\/a>. There are many diseases, and while it might sound silly to say that they time their appearances, it really seems as though that\u2019s the case. There are many diseases that will target specific ages such as children or the elderly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smallpox was a disease historically known to target those with weaker immune systems such as young children or old people but later attacked even young and healthy people during the largest outbreak in history. Back on topic, studies have shown that Dupuytren\u2019s contracture also targets a specific age group \u2014 those over the age of 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who are middle-aged or older have a significantly higher chance of getting Dupuytren\u2019s contracture based on various studies that have been conducted to see which age groups had the highest number of Dupuytren’s contracture cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Gender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While from a social standpoint it might sound sexist to say that some diseases target a specific gender, it\u2019s actually a fact \u2014 well, at least when it\u2019s true. Yes, saying that STDs <\/a>are limited to ladies who can\u2019t keep their panties on is indeed very sexist, but saying that ovarian cancer is limited to females isn\u2019t sexist seeing as only females have ovaries. The same holds true for Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This disease seems to be significantly more prominent in men compared to women. This being the case, it\u2019s important that men should get themselves checked out if they find themselves with one or more of the symptoms that this condition causes. That being said, it\u2019s still important to get checked out even if you\u2019re a woman. Dupuytren\u2019s contracture is more prominent in men, but that doesn\u2019t mean that it isn\u2019t present in women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diabetes <\/a>is an awful disease. Let us start by saying that there are two types of diabetes. There is Type 1 diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency. Type 1 diabetics have an immune system that attacks their pancreatic islets \u2014 specifically the beta cells that are responsible for producing insulin. Without any insulin in their body, they will be unable to regulate glucose levels which is what causes things diabetes coma if the levels get too low or high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many symptoms that go with diabetes including chronic wounds, blindness, comatose, and death. As if all that wasn\u2019t enough, studies have also shown that diabetics have an increased risk of getting Dupuytren\u2019s contracture in comparison to non-diabetics. Doctors aren\u2019t sure as of yet why this correlation is present, but they are convinced that it is most likely a causal relationship. One theory is that elevated glucose levels over the course of years or decades lead to Dupuytren\u2019s contracture because sugary blood is more acidic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Alcohol abuse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing wrong with having a few drinks with your friends every now and then. In fact, there have even been studies outlining the benefits of having some wine in moderation. The keyword here is moderation. Once you start to lose track of moderation and consume more alcohol <\/a>than the safe levels suggested by various health organizations, you\u2019ll expose yourself to a myriad of health risks and diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The obvious ones are kidney failure and fetal alcohol syndrome \u2014 for pregnant mothers \u2014 but one risk that is less known is Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. Studies have found a direct link between increased alcohol consumption and Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. Some studies have suggested that the toxins left in the body of those who consume too much alcohol damage the nerves in the hand and lead to Dupuytren\u2019s contracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Smoking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another risk factor is smoking<\/a>. It\u2019s worth noting that any tobacco use could have the same effects. Some people think that smokeless tobacco is a healthy alternative to smoking, but it really isn\u2019t. Tobacco is tobacco, whether smoke is present or not. If you expose yourself to tobacco, you\u2019ll be vulnerable to a whole slew of diseases including throat cancer, lung cancer, and yes even Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies have said that smoking cigarettes specifically holds the highest risk of developing Dupuytren\u2019s contracture as well as other diseases such as lung or oral cancer due to the fact that cigarettes have other toxins added to them in addition to the tobacco they contain so that they become more addictive to the consumer and thus drive more revenue towards the company manufacturing and distributing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Genetics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If members of your family also had Dupuytren\u2019s contracture, you could have an increased risk of developing it yourself at some point in your life. This risk becomes even more pronounced if the member of your family who had Dupuytren\u2019s contracture was an immediate relative such as a parent, sibling, or even first cousin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is no solid evidence showing that Dupuytren\u2019s contracture is caused by genetic mutations<\/a> or parental incompatibility, there has been data showing significantly higher odds of developing Dupuytren\u2019s contracture if one or more parents also have the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is something that you might want to go over with your significant other before you tie the knot. If your family has a history of Dupuytren\u2019s contracture, you should inform her of the risk so that she knows what she\u2019s getting into. In the same way, you should always ask you’re significant others about any genetic risks that run in your family before you make your proposal. Love can be blinding, but you need to keep a clear head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Ancestry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we say ancestry<\/a>, we\u2019re not talking about direct relation such as a parent or sibling with Dupuytren\u2019s contracture, we\u2019re referring to your distant relatives, and more specifically, where they come from. Various studies have shown that your risk for developing Dupuytren\u2019s contracture at any point in your life could be higher or lower depending on where your ancestors came from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There has been data showing that people with North European ancestry have significantly higher odds of developing Dupuytren\u2019s contracture in comparison to those with Asian or African ancestry. That being the case, you should be extra careful to get symptoms checked out if you have Northern European ancestors, even if the relationship is very distant and you\u2019re already a number of generations down the line. At the same time, there\u2019s no need to panic if you have this ancestry and notice one of the symptoms. It could very well be something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Drug use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There has been overwhelming evidence supporting the theory that the use of drugs, especially opioids<\/a>, could lead to the development of Dupuytren\u2019s contracture over the course of your life. You see, the mechanism in which Dupuytren\u2019s contracture works is by forming knots of tissue beneath your outer skin. This is what leads to the immobility of the fingers as well as the other symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some studies have shown that opioids could lead to the formation of these knots. Others have also suggested that those with early-onset Dupuytren\u2019s contracture might see a faster progression in their disease if they use opioids and other drugs. While most of these studies are still in their early days, it\u2019s important that you take the safe path and avoid illegal drugs at all costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Trauma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with Dupuytren’s contracture are typically in their senior years. However, it’s possible for anyone to develop the condition if they experience trauma to the hand and fingers. For instance, if you trap your hand in a gate while closing it and break the bones in your hand, you might not receive the correct treatment for the injury, choosing to leave it to heal on its own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the bones <\/a>do not repair properly, putting pressure on the hand’s ligaments that control the fingers. As a result, the patient may start to notice the onset of Dupuytren’s contracture appear in their palm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trauma can occur for several reasons, but it almost always involves injury to the bones in your hand rather than the fingers. If the patient does experience the onset of Dupuytren’s contracture, they usually experience no pain from the disorder. There is typically no reduction to their range of motion in the hand, wrist, or fingers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Working Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some patients with Dupuytren’s contracture may develop the disorder due to their working conditions. For instance, if you repeat certain movements throughout the day, such as keeping your hand on your mouse at your computer, you are at a higher risk of developing Dupuytren’s contracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These repetitive tasks stress the ligaments in the hands that connect to the fingers, and you’re likely to experience some mild discomfort and pain after completing these repetitive movements. It may take years for the ligaments to experience the accumulated stress needed to form a Dupuytren’s contracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, the problem occurs in seniors more than young people. So, if you are close to retirement age, make sure that you reduce the repetitive movements involved with your job to prevent the condition from appearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stretching the hands, wrists, and fingers throughout the day also helps to work the tension out of the ligaments<\/a>, helping to prevent the Dupuytren’s contracture from occurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, the onset of Dupuytren’s contracture creates no pain or discomfort in the affected individual. If the patient is young, they will usually be able to continue their life without experiencing any adverse problems occurring with their hand and fingers. The contracture usually doesn’t require any operation as the patient feels no pain and maintains a full range of motion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, seniors may have a different experience with Dupuytren’s contracture<\/a>. Typically, the problem doesn’t affect the index finger and thumb ligaments. As a result, the patient can maintain the normal use of the hand. However, in some cases, the contracture may start to cause problems with the opening and closing of the hand, especially in seniors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the condition progresses, the patient will find it hard to grasp objects and maintain the strength required for a good grip. Since the contracture usually only occurs on the one hand, usually the dominant one, the patient will have to learn to rely on the other hand for completing daily tasks.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Risk factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any disorder, Dupuytren’s contracture comes with a set of risk factors that make some people more prone to develop the condition than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age is the most common factor affecting the development of Dupuytren’s contracture. It’s more common for people to develop the disorder after the age of 50. However, the problem can occur in young people who experience trauma <\/a>to the hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men are more likely to develop Dupuytren’s contracture than women, and they usually have more severe effects of the contracture than women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People of northern European descent are more likely to experience the onset of Dupuytren’s contracture than other ethnicities. Evidence suggests that Dupuytren’s contracture may have some hereditary effect. If one of your parents has the disease, you’re more likely to encounter it later in life as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People that smoke tobacco and drink alcohol are also at a higher risk of developing the condition. People with diabetes are also at an increased risk for developing Dupuytren’s contracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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