Increased mortality in Dupuytren's disease.

A previous study showed a dip in the prevalence curve of Dupuytren's disease in men over 79 years of age. This may indicate increased mortality. The aim of the present investigation was to study this hypothesis. Four hundred and twenty-six men with Dupuytren's disease, born between 1900 and 1924 were followed for 26 years (1969-1996). Their mortality was compared with that of an age-matched control group of 426 men. In 1996, 361 with Dupuytren's disease and 336 in the control group had died. Overall, patients with Dupuytren's disease had a significantly increased mortality of 22%. The mortality was highest among those with onset of disease before the age of 60. In this age group men with Dupuytren's disease had 70% higher mortality than that of the control group. Disease duration did not seem to influence the mortality.