Management of osteoporosis: A survey of Israeli physicians' knowledge and attitudes

Background: Osteoporosis is the most common human bone disease. It affects millions of persons throughout the world and its prevalence will increase a s the population ages worldwide. Objective: To assess Israeli physicians' attitudes and knowledge with regar d to management of osteoporosis. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 1,900 Israeli physicians concerning their attitudes to the management of osteoporosis, their prescribing habits , and their knowledge on the pharmacological treatment of the disease. Results: Replies were received from 19% of the physicians. The respondents encouraged physical activity and cessation of smoking for all women, and pr escribed estrogen replacement as the main treatment for 50-year-old women. A relatively low level of knowledge was found regarding the adequate dosage of several of the pharmacological treatments. Conclusions: The findings of the present study stress the need to provide c lear guidelines and to extend physicians' knowledge regarding the managemen t of osteoporosis.