Purpose: The JOINT I (United States) and JOINT II (Australia and Europe) studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injection for the treatment of Dupuytren contracture. Methods: Both studies used identical open-label protocols. Patients with fixed-flexion contractures of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) (20° to 100°) or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints (20° to 80°) could receive up to three 0.58-mg CCH injections per cord (up to 5 total injections per patient). We performed standardized finger extension procedures to disrupt injected cords the next day, with follow-up 1, 2, 6, and 9 months thereafter. The primary end point (clinical success) was reduction in contracture to within 0° to 5° of full extension 30 days after the last injection. Clinical improvement was defined as 50% or more reduction from baseline contracture. Results: Dupuytren cords affecting 879 joints (531 MCP and 348 PIP) in 587 patients were administered CCH injections at 14 U.S. and 20 Australian/European sites, with similar outcomes in both studies. Clinical success was achieved in 497 (57%) of treated joints using 1.2 ± 0.5 (mean ± SD) CCH injections per cord. More MCP than PIP joints achieved clinical success (70% and 37%, respectively) or clinical improvement (89% and 58%, respectively). Less severely contracted joints responded better than those more severely contracted. Mean change in contracture was 55° for MCP joints and 25° for PIP joints. With average contracture reductions of 73% and improvements in range of motion by 30°, most patients (92%) were "very satisfied" (71%) or "quite satisfied" (21%) with treatment. Physicians rated change from baseline as "very much improved" (47%) or "much improved" (35%). The CCH injections were well tolerated, causing no tendon ruptures or systemic reactions. Conclusions: Collagenase clostridium histolyticum was an effective, minimally invasive option for the treatment of Dupuytren contracture of a broad range of severities. Most treated joints (625 of 879) required a single injection. Treatment earlier in the course of disease provided improved outcomes. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV. © 2013 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Collagenase clostridium histolyticum, Dupuytren contracture, fixed flexion, nonsurgical, open label
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Clinical sciences
Research Field:	Rheumatology and arthritis
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Jones, G (Professor Graeme Jones)
ID Code:	84102
Year Published:	2013
Web of Science® Times Cited:	67
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2013-04-17
Last Modified:	2014-04-16
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