Significant Risk Factors Of Dupuytren's Contracture

Family History

One of the strongest increased risk factors for Dupuytren's contracture is a family history of the deformity. The ratio of the sibling reoccurrence risk of this deformity is 2.9. Dupuytren's contracture is characterized by a tough cord of tissue that develops in the hand abnormally. The tissues in this cord have shown to display an upregulation and increase of the MafB gene. The MafB gene, which can be inherited, plays a role in specific processes that pertain to cell differentiation and the development of tissues. It has also been proven a maternal genome that can be inherited causes dysfunctional mitochondria in certain cells. These mitochondria result in the high generation of free radicals in the localized region of specific tissues. This dysfunctional mitochondria also produce a defective process of cell death. These genetic abnormalities cause a proliferation of cells in the hand where the thick cord develops in Dupuytren's contracture. Genetic factors have also been identified that involve polymorphism in the region of mitochondrial DNA identified as 16s rRNA. Familial histories that include trisomy seven and trisomy eight have been shown to increase the risk of developing the deformity. Any inherited disorders that cause peripheral nerve damage can also increase an individual's risk.

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