Abstract

Paget’s disease of bone emerged as a distinct entity in Britain in the late nineteenth century when it was prevalent, and florid presentation not uncommon. Epidemiological surveys in the 1970s showed that Britain had a substantially higher prevalence of Paget’s disease than any other country, but the prevalence was also high in some of its colonies, including New Zealand. More recent studies have documented an unexplained change in presentation, with a greatly reduced prevalence and less severe disease than formerly, a phenomenon seen even in families with a known genetic predisposition.  In 40 years Paget’s disease has changed from a common to a rare disorder. How can we explain the geography and changing face of Paget’s disease?

Biography 

Tim Cundy is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Auckland.  He trained in diabetes and endocrinology in London and Oxford and came to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1988.  He retired in 2022 after 47 years’ practice in clinical and academic medicine.  His major areas of interest and research included metabolic and genetic bone diseases.