RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dupuytren's disease in epilepsy: result of prolonged administration of anticonvulsants.
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 498
OP 503
DO 10.1136/jnnp.39.5.498
VO 39
IS 5
A1 E M Critchley
A1 S D Vakil
A1 H W Hayward
A1 V M Owen
YR 1976
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/39/5/498.abstract
AB In a study of chronic epileptics in a residential centre we recorded a 56% incidence of Dupuytren's disease. The lesions were usually bilateral and symmetrical and frequently associated with knuckle pads and plantar nodules. There was no direct relationship between Dupuytren's disease and frozen shoulder. Dupuytren's disease was seen equally in those with idiopathic or symptomatic epilepsy. The incidence increased with the duration of epilepsy and is probably a sequel to long-term administration of phenobarbitone. Reasons are given for presuming that the association between Dupuytren's disease and antiepileptic therapy is mediated through the peripheral stimulation of tissue growth factors and not through the central release of growth hormone or through alterations in liver metabolism.