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Development of Dupuytren's contractures,frozen shoulder,Ledderhose's syndrome,Peyronie's disease,fibromas and general joint pain has been linked in retrospective studies and case reports to the use of antiepileptic drugs.We undertook a prospective survey of the incidence of connective tissue disorders in 622 patients newly treated with carbamazepine,phenobarbital,phenytoid sodium or primidone.Ten of the 406 patients who were treated for 6 months or more developed connective tissue disorders.All affected patients were taking a barbiturate(primidine 4 patient,phenobarbital 6 patients).Seven of the 10 problems occurred during the first year of treatment.These data are prospective evidence of a statistically significant relationship between barbiturate use and the development of connective tissue disorders and timing of appearance. |
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