History of alcoholism could predispose to Dupuytren’s disease

Studies that observe the occurrence of Dupuytren contracture in alcoholics and those with non-alcoholic related liver disease provides mixed results.  While it appears that more studies support the opinion there is an association between the use of alcohol and Dupuytren’s disease, these are cast into suspicion by those studies that find no or weak correlation between the two.

While some of the studies reviewed also considered the presence of liver cirrhosis as a primary or contributing factor for the development of Dupuytren’s contracture, rather than specifically heavy and prolonged alcohol use, even fewer considered the contributory influence of the common habit amongst heavy drinkers of cigarette smoking as another possible contributory cause for this problem.

Most studies determine positive conclusions about alcohol abuse and alcoholism for Dupuytren contracture.   Those that mention cigarette smoking and liver disease (cirrhosis) as additional risk factors will suggest that the concomitant presence of these factors causes greater risk of developing Dupuytrens.  Even so, those contributing factors (heavy alcohol consumption or alcoholism, cigarette smoking, liver disease) are still not as predictive for Dupuytrens as the presence of a positive family history, especially for male individuals over the age of 50 years whose work exposure to vibration is great.

While it is not possible to alter someone’s genetic predisposition or age, exposure to cigarette smoke and alcohol can be reduced or eliminated with deliberate effort.  For those who know of a positive family history for Dupuytren contracture and are over age 50, eliminating cigarette smoking and alcohol use that are controllable would be a wise preemptive measure.

If you have Dupuytren contracture and you are aware of the potential risks of surgery as only a temporary measure, consider Alternative Medicine as a Dupuytren contracture treatment option.  The Dupuytren Contracture Institute has researched and developed this approach to reverse hand contractures since 2002, with considerable treatment success. To learn more, click Dupuytren treatment success.