Morales-Torres J, Hernández OC, Álvarez CJA

Language: Spanish
References: 17
Page: 62-66
PDF size: 174.00 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Osteoporosis (OP) and its consequences are increasing in both frequency and importance. Fracture prevention is possible only if high risk persons are identified and treated. The opportunity of both, detection and treatment depend largely of the actions taken by Primary Care Physicians (PCP). Their attitudes and knowledge on OP are poorly known in our environment. Objective: To know the attitudes about and the degree of knowledge on OP among PCP. Material and methods: We designed a questionnaire to evaluate the attitudes about and the degree of knowledge on OP based in closed questions. It was applied to accepting, professionally active PCP in a self-administered fashion, preserving anonymity. Sample size was defined with a 95% confidence, in 151 PCP. Results: Three hundred and ten interviews were programmed and 302 PCP (196 men and 106 women, with mean age of 37.1 ± 9.66 years) accepted to participate. They had a mean time since leaving the school of medicine of 12.67 ± 8.5 years and 35% of them studied in the University of Guanajuato and other institutions (UNAM 22%, UAG 11%, UMSNH 10% and others). OP is considered an "important health problem" by 89.7%. All of the PCP suspect OP before certain risk factors as menopause and mostly do so about advanced age. They also consider obesity (26.5%) and arthralgia (42.3%) to be indicators of OP. Simple X-ray studies are considered the base of the diagnosis of OP by 73.5% and only 29.8% mentioned osteodensitometry among their diagnostic tools. Calcium is the main therapeutic agent (73.5%) and estrogen replacement therapy is considered important by 36.1%. The response to therapy is evaluated by an improvement in symptoms (56.3%) and osteodensitometry (29.1%). There were no differences in the type of answers related to age, gender or years since leaving school of medicine. Conclusions: This study reveals a high frequency of incorrect assumptions on diagnosis and treatment of OP among PCP and identifies some specific goals to address in continuous medical education programs.

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