Understanding Stakeholder Priorities in Dupuytren Disease: A Qualitative Study

Currently, there is no recommended standard set of outcomes to report in Dupuytren disease treatment studies, nor are there guidelines on how the outcomes themselves should be reported. This study aimed to elicit the most salient issues for patients living with and undergoing treatment for Dupuytren disease, as well as for the hand surgeons, occupational therapists, and physical therapists caring for these patients.

A qualitative, interpretive description study employing one-on-one semi-structured interviews was conducted. Ten surgeons, 12 occupational and physical therapists, and 10 patients were interviewed.

Priorities related to Dupuytren disease treatment and recovery differed by stakeholder group. Surgeons prioritized range of motion, recovery time, and recurrence. Physical and occupational therapists frequently mentioned range of motion, grip strength, activities of daily living, return to meaningful activities, wound healing, edema, lack of sensation, and pain as important treatment outcomes. Patients described extension deficit, activities of daily living, holding objects, and lack of sensation.

Through the present study, we have identified outcomes of high importance to patients, hand surgeons, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. These results can be used to inform the development of a core outcome set for Dupuytren contracture.