[Paget's disease of bone: study of 314 patients]

To describe the clinical and laboratory features of Paget's disease of bone at the time of diagnosis.

This multicenter and retrospective study included 314 patients. Diagnosis was performed by means of characteristic radiological findings and typical bone scintigraphy. The variables analyzed included: epidemiological variables, cause of diagnosis, bone involvement, disease extension (Coutris index), complications, alkaline phosphate (AP) levels and disease activity (Renier index).

There were 159 (50.5%) males and the mean age was 64.9 years (SD 12.6). Diagnosis was casual in 228 (72.6%) patients. Polyostotic involvement was detected in 201 (63.9%) patients. More common locations were pelvis, skull and lumbar spine. Sacrum was more frequently involved in men than in women (p < 0.05), whereas skull involvement was more common in women (p < 0.05). The number of bones involved was 3.1 SD 3 and the percentage of skeletal involvement was 8.7 % (SD 6.5). One hundred ninety eigth (63%) patients had complications. The disease was active in 242 (77%) patients with a mean AP value of 377 IU/L (SD 493); the activity of the disease measured by the Renier index was 34 (SD 46); the activity was greater in the skull and the humerus.

Paget's disease of bone is usually asymptomatic. Polyostotic involvement and activity are common at the time of diagnosis. Knowledge of the extension and activity by means of a mathematical model may aid to make therapeutical decisions.