VITALS

Bone pain, particularly in areas adjacent to joints, may be an early indicator of Paget’s disease, a chronic disorder that affects mainly men and women older than 40.

There is no known cause or cure for Paget’s disease, which can result in enlarged and deformed bones in one or more regions of the skeleton. The affected bones weaken and become susceptible to arthritis and fractures.

The Paget Foundation has put together a brochure, “Questions and Answers about Paget’s Disease of Bone,” which addresses concerns such as what causes pain and how the disease is treated. For a free copy, write the Paget Foundation, 120 Wall St., No. 1602, New York, NY 10005, or call (800) 237-2438.