Hueston described Dupuytren's diathesis, including early onset, bilateral involvement, postive family history, and presence of ectopic lesions. He noted that patents presenting Dupuytren's diathesis experience more severe and rapidly progressive contractures, and have increased risk of recurrence following intervention.

Later, factors associated with the diathesis were refined to include male sex, age of onset earlier than 50 years, bilateral disease, Garrod's pads, and Northern European descent. With all factors present, a 3-fold increase in recurrence can be expected following treatment of contractures. Of all the clinical manifestations of Dupuytren's disease, Garrod's pads have been shown to have the highest association with aggressive disease. Hindocha S, Stanley JK, Watson S, Bayat A., "Dupuytren’s diathesis revisited: evaluation of prognostic indicators for risk of disease recurrence," J. Hand Surg. Am., 2006, 31, 1626-1634. Dolmans GH, de Bock GH, Werker PM., "Dupuytren diathesis and genetic risk," J. Hand Surg. Am., 2012, 37, 2106-2111