The prevalence of Dupuytren's contracture and its coincidence with degenerative changes in the hands and feet as well as loss of distal pulses, were studied in 574 55-year-old residents of Malmö, Sweden. Dupuytren's contracture occurred in 6% of the subjects studied, predominantly in men. Dupuytren's contracture was more common in men with degenerative changes in the feet and in men with signs of impaired arterial blood flow in the lower limbs. Men with Dupuytren's contracture had significantly less subcutaneous fat tissue, as measured by a triceps skinfold index, than men without Dupuytren's contracture. Other signs of general health, occupational work load or psychosocial factors did not interact with Dupuytren's contracture in the current study.