Association of Morbus Ledderhose with Dupuytren's contracture.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink at the bottom of the pageFibromatous nodules in the sole of the foot are often called Ledderhose disease. It is a benign nodular formation in the plantar aponeurosis, typically at the distal medial border. A lump forms and it can be a few centimeters in diameter. It is frequently seen as an isolated disease, but a relationship to Dupuytren's has been noted in some patients.The study was a part of a large cohort study, the Reykjavík study. Men with Dupuytren's disease (n = 122) were invited to follow-up 18 years after the initial observation. An equal number of controls, matched for age and smoking habits, were also invited. A total of 92 Dupuytren's patients and 101 control subjects attended for follow-up and were examined for plantar nodules. Statistical evaluation was carried out using chi-square test and presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).Ledderhose disease was identified in 14 of the 92 (15.2%) men with Dupuytren's disease, while it was only in 4 of the 101 (3.9%) matched controls (OR = 4.35, 95% CI, 1.3-16.7, P < 0.01). Men operated for Dupuytren's disease or with finger contractures were more likely to have plantar nodules than those with only nodules or strings in the palms (OR = 6.1, 95% CI, 1.8-27.1, P < 0.001). The plantar involvement was related to family history of Dupuytren's disease (OR = 3.1, 95% CI, 1.1-8.5, P = 0.02).Men with manifestations of finger contractures or who need surgery for Dupuytren's disease are more likely to also develop plantar fibromas.Level III, retrospective comparative series.Icelandic Centre for Research Science Fund of Family Physicians in Icelan