Tag Archives: diabetes

What is the cause of Dupuytren?

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What is the cause of Dupuytren?   Thank you,  Pat

Greetings Pat,

There is still no clear and broadly accepted answer to your question for a Dupuytren contracture cause, although I think I can make a good case for what is the most commonly accepted answer at this time.

Did you ever notice how diabetes seems to run in some families?  Grandma has diabetes, uncle Louie has diabetes and so do two of his children, Mom and Dad have it and two of their three children have it.   Well, it is not correct or accurate to say that someone inherited their diabetes; it does not work that way.  It is accurate to say that a person inherited the tendency toward diabetes; they have a genetic predisposition that makes them weaker or more susceptible to develop diabetes if they abuse their intake of sugar.  It is easier for these people who are in a diabetes-prone family to have it. Some people are so genetically susceptible that what can be considered a normal or low intake of sugar sets off their inability to control their blood sugar levels, and they can be diagnosed with diabetes.

The genetic aspect of diabetes is strongly suggested by those people who heavily abuse refined sugar intake and never develop diabetes.   They are not genetically predisposed and can tolerate a lot of sugar abuse.

If a person who is born into a family of diabetics, it would be wise to be very careful about refined sugar intake and to do all things possible to promote the normal function of the pancreas and related sugar metabolism.  In this way it is possible to avoid, delay, limit or minimize the degree of diabetes that is experienced by that individual,even though the tendency or weakness might be present.  Primarily this is done by limiting the intake of refined carbohydrates in the diet, such as refined carbohydrate products like white sugar, candy, cake, pasta and the like.  These foods high in refined carbohydrates act as a trigger to produce diabetes in people who are genetically prone to that problem; if the trigger is never pulled there is reduced likelihood for the problem to develop.

The same can be said for someone, especially a man, of northern European or Scandinavian descent who is born into a family of people who display a tendency toward Dupuytren contracture.  This person should avoid those things that are thought to predispose or act as triggers for Dupuytren contracture:
1.  Hand trauma, especially prolonged heavy vibration
2.  Phenobarbital
3.  Diabetes
4.  Liver disease and cirrhosis
5.  Heavy alcohol consumption
6.  Cigarette smoking

The genetic aspect of Dupuytren contracture is strongly suggested by those people who heavily abuse their hands, are alcoholics and heavy drinkers with liver disease, but never develop Dupuytren.   They are not genetically predisposed and can tolerate a lot of abuse that would easily trigger it in other people.

Early treatment of Dupuytren contracture is important.  Learn about using natural Alternative Medicine to increase the ability of your body to eliminate Dupuytren contracture:

>> Dupuytren Contracture Treatment – FAQs

>> How to start Dupuytren treatment with Alternative Medicine

>> Testimonials from Dupuytren Contracture Institute





Dupuytren’s Contracture and Cirrhosis: Chronic Liver Disease

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Cirrhosis and liver disease as a cause of Dupuytren contracture

The predisposition and causation of Dupuytren contracture as a result of cirrhosis of the liver is not clear; more clearly established correlations exist:

  • People of Northern European (UK) and Scandinavian descent
  • Men rather than women; men are 10 times more likely to develop Dupuytren contracture between the ages of 40 and 60 years, after which the incidence rate increases for women later in life to become equal by 80-85 years
  • Workers who sustain constant micro-traumatic stress to the tendons of the hands (carpenters, bricklayers, rock climbers, jackhammer operators, etc.)
  • People over the age of 40; age as a factor increases as age increases
  • People with a family history (grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins)

Currently, unproven but interesting causes of Dupuytren’s hand contracture include diabetes, alcoholism, epilepsy therapy with phenythoin and liver disease.

A higher rate of Dupuytren contracture occurs in those with cirrhosis and related liver disease caused by alcohol abuse, as compared with those with cirrhosis and liver disease not associated with alcohol consumption.  It is important to note it is not alcohol consumption, per se, that appears to be a contributory factor for Dupuytren contracture but the abuse of alcohol intake, especially over an extended time.  Further, to keep contributory factors in perspective and rightfully appreciated, it is important to note that age and genetic predisposition to Dupuytren’s disease, as revealed by family history, are of greater contributory importance than alcohol abuse and resultant liver cirrhosis.

Dupuytren contracture and cirrhosis, liver disease and alcoholism

Perusal of recent studies that investigate the correlation of Dupuytren contracture and cirrhosis, liver disease and alcoholism reveals variable results and inconsistent conclusions.   The general trend of findings points toward the higher prevalence of Dupuytren contracture in chronic alcoholics and absence of correlation between Dupuytren contracture and chronic liver disease.  Alcoholics tend to have a higher rate of Dupuytren’s disease, and this is thought to primarily due liver disease caused by alcohol abuse.  Age, male incidence and genetic factors are of greater causation and predisposing factors than cirrhosis and liver disease.

If you male, and over 50 years of age, with a history of Dupuytren contracture in your family and heavy alcohol consumption, it would be wise to do all you can to reduce your chance of cirrhosis and liver disease.  You cannot do much about your gender, age and family genetics, but you can eliminate liver disease risk factors that might favor development of Dupuytren contracture.

Once Dupuytren contracture is present and someone learns that there is no known medical treatment available other than risky surgery, consider using Alternative Medicine as a Dupuytren contracture treatment option.  This is an option that the Dupuytren Contracture Institute has researched and developed since 2002, with considerable treatment success. To learn more, click Dupuytren treatment success.