[Paget's osteodystrophia deformans. Occurrence, clinical aspects and complications].

33 monostotic and 27 polyostotic manifestations were found in 60 patients with Paget's disease of bone, 30 of whom were females (mean age 65.7 years) and 30 males (mean age 62.8 years). Pelvis, right tibia, lumbar spine, skull and sacrum were most commonly affected. Alkaline phosphatase activity in serum was raised in 95%, and in 88% hydroxyproline excretion in urine was increased. Due to the variable primary osseous or secondary arthrogenic complaints four groups could be distinguished among the monostotic cases. In polyostotic forms only some of the affected bones caused symptoms, whereas the other locations were only detected radiographically. The indication for calcitonin treatment of Paget's disease can only be made after in-patient investigation and evaluation of skeletal involvement, activity of the disease, complaints and assessment of complications actually present or to be expected according to the pattern of involvement. Under these conditions this form of treatment appeared indicated in 41 of 60 patients.