Primary care physicians often neglect to offer osteoporosis screening. (Many Unsure Osteoporosis can be Prevented).

HONOLULU -- A survey of primary care physicians in New England revealed widespread ambivalence about the importance of screening patients for osteoporosis or treating them pharmacologically once they are diagnosed, Dr. Daniel H. Solomon reported in a poster presentation at an international symposium sponsored by the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Dr. Solomon of Harvard Medical School, Boston, and his associates sent a survey to every primary care physician (PCP) in New England who had a fax number, resulting in nearly 500 completed questionnaires.

The survey results showed that obstetrician-gynecologists were more likely than internists to refer patients for bone mineral density (BMD) screening, he reported.

Family physicians and "general practitioners" were least likely to have patients screened for osteoporosis.

Even though 92% of all physicians agreed with the statement that "osteoporosis can lead to serious consequences," many physicians seemed to be uncertain about the usefulness of screening or intervention.

Overall, 85% agreed with the statement that "BMD is useful for diagnosis," 14% said that they were unsure, and 1% disagreed.

Additionally, 28% of the PCPs said they were unsure whether BMD is useful for predicting fracture.