Tag Archives: liver disease

Could my Dupuytren contracture be related to drinking alcohol?

Posted on by

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.

 

 

Dupuytren’s Contracture and Cirrhosis: Chronic Liver Disease

Posted on by

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.

Dupuytren Cause Could Be Related to Drugs

Posted on by

Prescription drugs indirectly related to Dupuytren contracture

A Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs.  As usual, there is controversy about drugs causing or contributing to Dupuytren’s contracture. However, because there is controversy and unknows in most areas of Dupuytren’s contracture, we speculate.

Even the cause of Dupuytren’s contracture remains unknown.  Age, genetic predisposition, and liver cirrhosis related to alcoholism, have the strongest statistical and clinical support as a cause of DC.  Interestingly, people think of trauma or injury most often as the cause of Dupuytren’s contracture. Perhaps this is because trauma, cuts and surgery lead to excess scar formation. And DC looks like heavy scar formation.  Regardless, a person with Dupuytren’s contracture should focus about avoiding or reducing exposure to those causes of DC that are avoidable or at least controllable.  Among them, there is statistical evidence that a Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs.

Drugs open the gate to DC when we are weak

For those who already have age (over 50), gender (male), genetic predisposition and liver disease in their history working against them, it is wise to pay close attention to other causes that are controllable.  For example, prescription drug use.  One side effect of these prescription drugs is to suppress or reduce the immune defense response of the body.  Thus, with a weakened immune system, and liver disease due to drug toxicity, there is less ability to prevent development of Dupuytren contracture.

While no single drug or drug family has been implicated in causing Dupuytren contracture, many drugs have the potential.  Prolonged use of a potent drug could initiate DC via the indirect mechanism by causing liver disease and cirrhosis usually associated with alcoholism.  Bottom line, many drugs stress and injure the liver, and this is statistically important in causing Dupuytren’s contracture.

Drugs to keep in mind

As a general guideline, this list is provided to demonstrate a Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs because they all affect the liver, some more and some less.  It is all about the connection between liver damage and Dupuytren’s contracture.

Drugs that may cause acute dose-dependent liver damage

  • acetaminophen
  • salicylates (doses over 2 grams daily)

Drugs that may cause acute dose-independent liver damage

  • acebutolol
  • labetalol
  • quinine
  • indomethacin
  • phenylbutazone
  • allopurinol
  • isoniazid
  • phenytoin
  • lisinopril
  • atenolol
  • ketoconazole
    • piroxicam
      ·  carbamazepine
      ·  cimetidine
    • maprotiline
    • pyrazinamide
    • dantrolene
    • metoprolol
    • quinidine
      • diclofenac
        ·  probenecid
      • cimetidine
      • maprotiline
      • pyrazinamide
      • dantrolene
      • metoprolol
      • quinidine
        • diclofenac
          ·  penecillins
        • mianserin
          ·  phenelzine
        • tricyclic antidepressants
        • halothane
        • phenindione
        • valproic acid
        • ibuprofen
        • phenobarbital
          • verapamil
  • ethionamide

Bottom line on Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs

In conclusion, these listed drugs have side effects.  They can complicate the problem of someone who is already sick.  Use all drugs with caution and discretion. But if you have Dupuytren’s contracture, use these drugs with great caution. Talk to your doctor about using the safest drug possible for whatever problem you might have.

If you are male, over 50, with a family history of Dupuytren’s contracture, or a history of liver cirrhosis or heavy alcohol consumption, recognize these drugs pose a danger to you. Your particular Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs on this list.  Possibly, you could be stressing your liver and putting yourself at further risk of worsening and accelerating your Dupuytren problem. For this reason, speak to your doctor if you are taking any of the above drugs. Ask about changing or reducing medication.

Also, consider using the safe and direct DCI  Dupuytren contracture treatment option.  When people use the DCI large plan, we get 8-10 reports of moderate to marked improvement of DC, for every one report of failure.