The epidemiology of Paget's disease.

Paget's disease is commoner in men and its prevalence increases with age. It has a remarkable geographical localisation. Britain has the highest recorded prevalence. Somewhat lower rates have been recorded in North America, Australia and Western Europe. The disease is rare in Scandinavia. Within Britain there is a localised area of high prevalence in Lancashire. In North America prevalence is markedly higher in New York than in Atlanta. Rates in American blacks and whites are similar although the disease is rare in Africa. In Australia the prevalence among British born immigrants is intermediate between the British rate and that of native born Australians. There is evidence of a decline in incidence of the disease in Britain and North America. The epidemiological characteristics of the disease suggest that environmental influences are important in its aetiology. They provide data against which new hypotheses on causation must be tested.