Paget's disease of bone in two medieval skeletons from Poulton Chapel, Cheshire, UK

Abstract

Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a chronic, metabolic disease disrupting normal bone turnover and is reported as one of the most common bone diseases after osteoporosis. PDB is characterised by excessive bone remodelling resulting in bone enlargement, fragility, deformity and additional complications. Typically, PDB affects one or a few bones of the axial skeleton and is commonly recorded in older individuals (over 55 years of age) affecting more males than females. Although PDB has been reported worldwide, there is a high concentration of reported cases in the UK, with a regional hotspot in the northwest of England. This study reviews an adult male (SK463) and female (SK750) with skeletal lesions of PDB from Poulton Chapel, Cheshire. Full macroscopic and radiographic analysis has identified the skeletal distribution of PDB, with up to 75% of both skeletons affected. SK463 presents noticeable anterior bowing to both tibiae, likely the result of PDB. AMS radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis performed on teeth samples confirmed that both individuals' dates were medieval, had a mixed/varied diet and were local to the northwest of England. This research adds to the emerging paleopathological literature on PDB, while providing additional support for the identification of a geographical hotspot observed in contemporary populations.