A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Strength and Consistency of the Associations between Dupuytren Disease and Diabetes Mellitus, Liver Disease, and Epilepsy

Background: The role of diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and epilepsy as risk factors for Dupuytren disease remains unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the strength and consistency of these associations were examined.

Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles reporting an association between Dupuytren disease and diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and epilepsy published before September 26, 2016. The frequencies of Dupuytren disease and diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and epilepsy were extracted, as was information on potential confounders. Generalized linear mixed models were applied to estimate pooled odds ratios, adjusted for confounders. Heterogeneity between studies was quantified using an intraclass correlation coefficient and was accounted for by a random effect for study.

Results: One thousand two hundred sixty unique studies were identified, of which 32 were used in the meta-analyses. An association between Dupuytren disease and diabetes mellitus was observed (OR, 3.06; 95 percent CI, 2.69 to 3.48, adjusted for age), which was stronger for type 1 diabetes mellitus than for type 2 diabetes mellitus but was not statistically significant (p = 0.24). An association between Dupuytren disease and liver disease was observed (OR, 2.92; 95 percent CI, 2.08 to 4.12, adjusted for sex). Dupuytren disease and epilepsy were associated, yielding an OR of 2.80 (95 percent CI, 2.49 to 3.15). Heterogeneity between studies was moderate to low.

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate an association between Dupuytren disease and diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and epilepsy. Prospective, longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the pathways causing these associations.