Clinical Research Directory

Post-contracture Release Radiation for Dupuytren's Disease

To determine if the clinical impression of clinicians, ie that patients are improving with the current treatment pathway for Dupuytren's (contracture release followed by radiation), can be substantiated with scientific evidence.

Micronerves in Dupuytren and the Impact of Its Dissection on Recurrence

Dupuytren disease (DD) is a highly prevalent disabling hand disease. Spontaneous fibrosis nodules and strands in the palms of the hand cause finger contractures in disturbing positions and movement restrictions. Finger movement can be restored by surgery (removing the fibrosis tissue), but recurrence is a major problem and this is difficult to treat. Through microfasciectomy, the presence of small nerve bundles (micronerves) were observed. These nerves are possibly related to the hand fascia, which is the origin of Dupuytren disease. These micornerves and their dissection could play a role in the recurrence of DD. This study will investigate the role of these micronerves in DD, the impact of its dissection on formation of neuromas and on recurrence. Also, the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) will be evaluated. The purpose is to provide information on potential neuro-induced fibrosis.

Prognostic Profile of Dupuytren's Disease: a Cohort Study (PRODUCT)

Dupuytren's disease is characterized by retractile fibrosis of the superficial palmar aponeurosis, which can lead to irreversible flexion contractures of the fingers and lasting functional impairment. Widespread throughout the world, it has a particularly high prevalence in northern European countries. This has been estimated at between 3.5% and 11% in England and Denmark. This prevalence is expected to increase over time due to the aging population. Risk factors for the disease include age, male sex, heredity, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The resulting disability is not spontaneously reversible. It affects various aspects of daily life, most notably personal care, nutrition, and social interaction. Treatment for Dupuytren's disease, whether medical or surgical, remains symptomatic to date and does not preclude the possibility of recurrence. In France, it is based on percutaneous needle aponeurotomy and surgical aponeurectomy. Its objectives are to reduce the flexion contracture of the fingers and the functional disability caused by the disease. Enzymatic aponeurosis with collagenase is also possible, but it is less well tolerated than percutaneous needle aponeurotomy. It is more expensive and not covered by health insurance. The widespread adoption of a medical-surgical strategy that positions percutaneous needle aponeurotomy as the first-line treatment could improve the acceptability of Dupuytren's disease treatment and significantly reduce its cost to healthcare systems. However, the impact of this strategy depends on the extent to which second-line surgery is required. This use has been little studied. The proportion of patients requiring surgical treatment after percutaneous needle aponeurotomy is estimated to be 10 to 18%. These data are based on small sample sizes observed over varying follow-up periods. They need to be verified in large populations using a prospective study. Moreover, the factors associated with the need for surgery after percutaneous needle ablation for Dupuytren's disease are currently poorly understood. Understanding these factors would be beneficial for optimizing medical and surgical management. It could allow for better tailoring of treatment options to the patient's individual profile.

Efficacy of Aponeurectomy on the 2-year Recurrence Rate of Dupuytren's Disease

Dupuytren's disease is a frequent hereditary disease in Northern Europe. It is a degenerative disease affecting the palmar aponeurosis of the hand. It develops a progressive contractile fibrosis which cuts the hypodermic fatty tissue, adheres to the skin and the phalanges, gradually bending the affected rays, resulting in significant functional impotence. Various medical and surgical treatments are available.

Nodular Shrinking in Dupuytren Disease

Dupuytren disease (DD) is a common hand disorder with disabling finger contractures that may require surgery to restore function. In the early stages of the disease, the nodules (Tubiana stage 0) are usually painless, but a reason for concern to many patients. Not rarely, lifestyle measures and even risky treatment options as radiotherapy are advised, yet no therapy to prevent disease evolution has a solid proven effect. Furthermore, reliable non-invasive measurement of early stage DD is not validated. Evidence was found that pharmacotherapy may influence DD evolution, but valuable clinical trials are limited. Case series and non-published explorative follow-up suggested local treatment with antioxidant vitamin E to possibly interfere with an evolution of DD nodules to contracting strands. This study aims to provide evidence on efficiency of this non-invasive treatment option. Secure measurement of nodule evolution is a clinical challenge. To measure this evolution, ultrasound and MRI scanning are currently being performed. Stage 0 (nodules) is more challenging to quantify. A strict individual follow-up by the treating clinician is needed to standardize measurement of selected (treated) nodules. Therefore, simple ultrasound by the treating clinician may provide an good tool to collect data. This study aims to introduce and validate this non-invasive scan method and provide a prospective double blind investigation of a measurable effect of non-invasive preventive treatment for stage 0 DD to improve clinical outcome.

Effectiveness of Night Splinting After Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy in Dupuytren's Contracture

Dupuytren's contracture (DC) is associated with progressive finger flexion and extension deficit caused by fibrosis in the palm and digits. Treatment options include minimally invasive procedures such as percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PNF) and collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections as well as open fasciectomy. PNF has recently become more popular in Sweden because it is an office-based procedure which is relatively easy to perform without the usual risks and costs of open surgery. After treatment with PNF patients usually continue with supervised rehabilitation, which includes physical therapy and night splinting. Whether night splinting is beneficial in terms of reducing recurrence of DC is currently debated. This study aims to investigate whether night splinting after performed PNF helps to reduce recurrence rate or not. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into two groups: The first group will be treated as usual with physical therapy and night splinting after PNF. The second group will be treated with physical therapy without night splinting after PNF. Follow up includes physical examination regarding active range of motion, sensation and grip strength at procedure day and 2 weeks, 3, 12 and 36 months later as well as questionnaires regarding hand function, pain and quality of life at procedure day and 3, 12 and 36 months later. Patients who are randomized into the second group (no night splinting) will also be examined 3 weeks after PNF for observation in case of an early impairment regarding extension deficit.

Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy +/- Corticosteroid Injection for Dupuytren's Contracture

Comparing percutaneous needle fasciotomy +/- corticosteroid injection for Dupuytren's contracture affecting metacarpophalangeal joints. A clinician-initiated, multicenter, randomized controlled trial.