Paget's disease is a metabolic bone disease that involves bone destruction and regrowth, which results in deformity.

The cause of Paget's disease is unknown. There are theories about early viral infection and genetic causes. The disease occurs worldwide, but is more common in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand -- where it is seen in up to 5% of the elderly population.

The disease is characterized by excessive breakdown of bone tissue, followed by abnormal bone formation. The new bone is structurally enlarged, but weakened and filled with new blood vessels.

The disease may localize to one or two areas within the skeleton, or become widespread. Frequently, bones of the pelvis, leg, spine, arm, or the collar bone are involved. The effect on the skull may enlarge head size and cause hearing loss, if the cranial nerves are damaged by the bone growth.

• Bone pain (may be severe and persistent)
• Joint pain or joint stiffness
• Headache  
• Bowing of the legs
• Warmth of skin overlying affected bone
• Fracture  
• Neck pain
• Reduced height
• Hearing loss

Tests that may indicate Paget's disease include:

• A bone x-ray that shows increased bone density, thickening, bowing, and overgrowth
• A bone scan
• Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase
• Elevated markers of bone breakdown (for instance, N-telopeptide)

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Serum calcium
• ALP (alkaline phosphatase) isoenzyme

Drug therapy is aimed at suppressing bone breakdown. Currently, there are several classes of medications that inhibit bone resorption that are used in the treatment of Paget's disease. These include: bisphosphonates, calcitonin, and plicamycin.

The bisphosphonates are the first-line treatment and include the following medications: etidronate (Didronel), alendronate (Fosamax), pamidronate (Aredia), tiludronate (Skelid), and risedronate (Actonel). The Calcitonin class includes intranasal (Miacalcin) and subcutaneous (Calcimar) forms. Plicamycin (Mithracin) may also be prescribed. Analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) may be given for pain.

Localized Paget's disease requires no treatment, if there are no symptoms and no evidence of active disease. Orthopedic surgery may be required to correct a specific deformity in severe cases.

Paget Foundation

120 Wall St., Suite 1602

New York, NY 10005-4001

Toll-free: 800-23-PAGET

Ph: 212-509-5335

Website: http://www.paget.org

E-mail: PagetFdn@aol.com

Disease activity and symptoms can generally be controlled with current medications. Malignant changes of bone occur in less than 1% of people affected.

• Deafness
• Spinal stenosis
• Deformities
• Bone fractures
• Paraplegia
• Cardiac failure

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of Paget's disease develop.