The epidemiology of Paget's disease of bone in Europe

Taggart, Frances Margaret (1988) The epidemiology of Paget's disease of bone in Europe. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

A survey of the prevalence of Paget's disease of bone was carried out in Western Europe. This consisted of a postal questionnaire to radiologists in 11 countries, and radiological surveys among hospital patients aged 55 and over in 15 towns. 1,416 replies from radiologists indicated that the disease was most frequently seen in Britain, then in France and from there the frequencies declined to the south and the east. The radiological surveys showed the same distribution, the French towns having prevalences similar to the lowest previously recorded prevalences in Britain (Bordeaux 2.7%, Rennes 2.4% and Nancy 2.0%). The lowest prevalences were 0.5% in Palermo (Sicily), 0.5% in Athens and 0.4% in Malmo (Sweden). A statistically significant correlation between the radiological prevalence of Paget's disease and mortality due to measles at the beginning of the century was found within Europe but there was no significant correlation in 29 towns in England and Wales. Two case-control studies were carried out. The first was among 37 cases and 72 controls in Lancaster, England, and the second among 30 cases and 57 controls in Siena, Italy. Although there were no significant differences between cases and control in Lancaster, cases in Siena reported having had measles in childhood with greater frequency than controls. This difference was statistically significant. The findings of this study provide the first epidemiological evidence to support the findings of laboratory based studies which suggest that measles virus is associated with and may be a cause of Paget's disease.

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