The prevalence of Dupuytren's disease among 2 different ethnic groups in northern Norway.

Dupuytren's disease is common in Norway and northern Europe but rare in individuals who are not of European descent. The aboriginal Sami of the northernmost parts of Scandinavia are ethnically distinct from most Norwegians. The occurrence of Dupuytren's contracture is unknown among the Sami. Data were collected on 456 individuals older than 50 years who were living in an area 750 km north of the arctic circle. Dupuytren's disease was found in 31 men and 3 women. The prevalence was lower among Sami than Norwegian men of all ages. The prevalence of having a grandson with Dupuytren's disease was also lower among Sami than Norwegian grandparents. Although none of the differences reached statistical significance, the results show that the prevalence is not very low among Sami men but probably lower than among ethnic Norwegians living in the same area, confirming the importance of a genetic disposition to the disease.