Although Dupuytren's disease is common it is still not fully understood. A series of patients has been assessed by multiple regression analysis from which "outcome standards" have been formulated. It is anticipated that this method of analysis will further our understanding of the disease when greater numbers of patients are added to the study. As well, the application of an "outcome standard" to a given patient should reduce the number of unexpectedly poor results obtained and expose errors in the primary management of those patients.