bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Paget Disease of Bone
Introduction
Paget disease of bone is a chronic disorder of the skeleton in which areas of bone undergo abnormal turnover, resulting in areas of enlarged and softened bone. The breakdown and formation of bone increase, resulting in bones that are thicker, but weaker, than normal. Symptoms may be absent or may include bone pain, bone deformity, arthritis, and painful nerve compression. X-rays show the bone abnormalities. Pain and complications are treated, and bisphosphonates may be given. Paget disease can affect any bone, but the most commonly affected bones are the pelvis, thighbone (femur), and skull. The shin (tibia), spine (vertebrae), collarbone (clavicle), and upper arm bone (humerus) are affected less commonly. In the United States, about 2 to 3% of people older than 55 have the disorder, and the prevalence increases with age. However, the overall prevalence of the disease seems to be decreasing. Men are more likely than women to develop Paget disease. The disease is most common in the United Kingdom and European countries including Spain, France, and Italy, as well as in countries settled by European immigrants (for example,, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada). Paget disease is rare in Scandinavian countries and Asia. 