[Correlation between Dupuytren's disease and arcus senilis: is dyslipidemia a common etiopathological factor?]

Epidemiological analysis of patients with Dupuytren's disease

Objective

To evaluate the risk factors and analyze the characteristics of patients and lesions in Dupuytren's disease.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with Dupuytren's disease in a hand surgery clinic in 2013. The authors evaluated parameters associated with the patient profiles and risk factors, the form and severity of involvement, and characteristics of the lesions.

Results

58 patients were evaluated, totaling 79 hands, with bilateral involvement in 46% of cases. The involvement of the ulnar fingers of the hand represented 78%, 44% being the ring finger. In 55% of cases, the patients had cords, while 45% showed only nodules. As for related factors, they were found most commonly in men (55%), whites (93%), and the elderly. Of coexisting diseases, the following were present: diabetes mellitus (49%), especially in the insulin-dependent (62%), hypertension (55.2%), and dyslipidemia (19%). With regard to lifestyle, 22% were smokers and 9% were alcohol consumers.

Conclusion

It was observed a higher incidence of Dupuytren's disease was observed among men, whites, and the ulnar fingers of the hand, especially the ring finger. The most common associated diseases were diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Corneal arcus as coronary artery disease risk factor

Corneal arcus is a lipid-rich and predominantly extracellular deposit that forms at the corneoscleral limbus. It represents the most common peripheral corneal opacity and is not associated with tissue breakdown but rather with the deposition of lipids. The deposition of cholesterol in the peripheral cornea and arterial wall are similar in that both are accelerated by elevated serum levels of atherogenic lipoproteins, such as low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Corneal arcus is more prevalent in men than in women and in Blacks than in Whites. Its prevalence increases with advancing age. It has been associated with hypercholesterolemia, xanthelasmas, alcohol, blood pressure, cigarette smoking, diabetes, age, and coronary heart disease. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether or not corneal arcus is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). The present systematic review examines the relationship of corneal arcus and CHD to determine if corneal arcus is an independent CHD risk factor. We conclude that there is no consensus that corneal arcus is an independent risk factor. The presence of corneal arcus in a young person should prompt a search for lipid abnormalities. Also, because corneal arcus represents physical evidence of early lipid deposition, its presence suggests the need for aggressive lipid therapy.

Epidemiology of Dupuytren's disease: clinical, serological, and social assessment. The Reykjavik Study

Dupuytren's disease or palmar fibromatosis is a common disabling hand disorder, mainly confined to Caucasians of northwestern European origin. The prevalence of Dupuytren's disease and possible risk factors related to the disease were evaluated in a random sample of 1297 males and 868 females, aged 46 to 74 years. Blood samples were collected and biochemical parameters were evaluated. The possible relation between the disease and clinical, social, and biochemical parameters were estimated with age-adjusted univariate logistic regression analysis. Altogether 19.2% of the males and 4.4% of the female participants had clinical signs of Dupuytren's disease. The prevalence increased with age, from 7.2% among males in the age group 45-49 years up to 39.5% in those 70-74 years old. The more severe form of the disease, finger contractures, was found in 5.0% of the men and 1.4% had required operation, while this was rarely seen among women. In men elevated fasting blood glucose (P < 0.04), low body weight, and body mass index were significantly correlated with the presence of the disease (P < 0.001). Dupuytren's disease was common among heavy smokers (P = 0.02) and those having manual labor as occupation (P = 0.018). These results show that Dupuytren's disease is common in the Icelandic population and occupation and lifestyle seem to be related to the disease.