Paget's disease in an archeological population

Area of Science:

• Paleopathology
• Skeletal Biology
• Medical History

Background:

• Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a chronic disorder of abnormal bone turnover.
• Prevalence of PDB varies geographically and historically.
• Paleopathological evidence of PDB is rare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and distribution of Paget's disease in an archaeological population from Northern England.
• To analyze temporal trends in PDB prevalence over a 1,000-year period.
• To compare the skeletal distribution of PDB in an ancient population with modern patterns.

Main Methods:

• Visual examination of 2,770 skeletal individuals from Barton on Humber, UK (900-1,850 AD).
• Plain radiography of bones exhibiting suspected Paget's disease of bone (PDB).
• Analysis of prevalence and distribution based on age and time period.

Main Results:

• Fifteen probable cases of Paget's disease of bone (PDB) were identified, yielding an overall prevalence of 2.1% in individuals over 40 years.
• Prevalence increased from 1.7% before 1500 AD to 3.1% after 1500 AD, though not statistically significant.
• The distribution of lesions, primarily affecting the lumbar spine, pelvis, and proximal femur, mirrored modern patterns.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the largest documented skeletal assemblage for Paget's disease of bone (PDB) to date.
• The findings suggest a potential, albeit non-significant, increase in PDB prevalence in the UK over the last millennium.
• The skeletal distribution of Paget's disease of bone (PDB) appears consistent across historical periods.