Paget's disease of bone

Abstract

Paget's disease of bone is a common disorder characterized by increased but disorganized bone remodelling. Some patients are asymptomatic but others present with bone pain or other complications such as fracture and deformity. Major advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology of Paget's disease in recent years and highly effective agents are now available with which to suppress the abnormal bone turnover that causes the disease. Here we review recent advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and management of Paget's disease. We also reflect upon the future challenges that remain to be overcome to explain the unusual distribution of the disease and to favourably alter the natural history and prevent the development of complications.