Dupuytren's disease in Bosnia and Herzegovina. An epidemiological study

Abstract

Background: It is generally held that Dupuytren's disease is more common in northern than in southern Europe, but there are very few studies from southern European countries. Methods: We examined the hands of 1207 men and women over the age of 50 years in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: The prevalence of Dupuytren's disease was highly age-dependent, ranging from 17% for men between 50-59 years to 60% in the oldest men. The prevalence among women was lower. The great majority only had palmar changes without contracture of the digit. The prevalence was significantly lower among Bosnian Muslim men than among Bosnian Croat and Serbian men and significantly increased among diabetics. No association could be detected between Dupuytren's disease and smoking, alcohol consumption or living in rural or urban areas. Conclusion: We conclude that, contrary to previous opinion, Dupuytren's disease is common in Bosnia and Herzegovina.