title: [The 'Osteoporosis' guideline of the Dutch College of General Practitioners compared with the report by the Health Council].
abstract: Within one year the report 'Prevention of fractures related to osteoporosis' from the Dutch Health Council and the standard 'Osteoporosis' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners were published. At first sight the documents appear to diverge in several respects. The main discrepancy is that the standard shows far less optimism about the effects of drug therapy, by consequence of which only some well defined high risk groups should be treated. The standard therefore applies stricter criteria for case finding than the Health Council considers necessary. Although both documents base their opinions on similar studies and publications, they lead to different conclusions. Given the high prevalence of osteoporosis in the elderly part of the Dutch population, case finding seems to be a rather ineffective strategy for people at risk. Apparently, the Health Council at heart does not expect much benefit from drug interventions either. This forms an important indication that the remaining disagreements will be settled in the near future.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wiersma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009426:Netherlands; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012955:Societies, Medical