Factors affecting functional recovery after surgery and hand therapy in patients with Dupuytren's disease.

STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. INTRODUCTION The evidence of the relationship between functional recovery and impairment after surgery and hand therapy are inconsistent. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To explore factors that were most related to functional recovery as measured by DASH in patients with Dupuytren's disease. METHODS Eighty-one patients undergoing surgery and hand therapy were consecutively recruited. Functional recovery was measured by the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Explanatory variables: range of motion of the finger joints, five questions regarding safety and social issues of hand function, and health-related quality of life (Euroqol). RESULTS The three variables "need to take special precautions", "avoid using the hand in social context", and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D index) explained 62.1% of the variance in DASH, where the first variable had the greatest relative effect. DISCUSSION Safety and social issues of hand function and quality of life had an evident association with functional recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.