[Skip to Navigation]
Article
April 1972

Dupuytren's Disease: Its Association With Abnormal Liver Function in Alcoholism and Epilepsy

Author Affiliations

Rochester, NY

From the Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (Drs. Pojer and Williams); Laboratories, Rochester General Hospital (Dr. Radivojevic); and Monroe Community Hospital (Dr. Williams), Rochester, NY. Dr. Pojer is with the Internal Clinic, University of Brno, Czechoslovakia and is a visiting professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Arch Intern Med. 1972;129(4):561-566. doi:10.1001/archinte.1972.00320040037002
Abstract

Dupuytren's disease (DD) was found in 25% of 60 men with alcoholism, and in 55% of patients with long-standing epilepsy who were receiving anticonvulsant therapy. Abnormal liver enzyme values were common in both groups (despite rare hyperbilirubinemia in alcoholics and abnormally low bilirubin in epileptics). Among alcoholics, those with DD had more elevated γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels (81% vs 50%) and evidence of chronic liver disease. Among epileptics, those with DD had more elevated alkaline phosphatase levels (78% vs 45%) and leucine aminopeptidase values (25% vs 4%). Among male epileptics, 71% had abnormal serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and associated high creatine phosphokinase levels; these changes may suggest muscular involvement in DD. Patients with epilepsy on a regimen of anticonvulsant drugs should be checked for subtle evidences of abnormal hepatic function, as should all persons with DD.

Add or change institution
×