Original Title: Actuación ante la osteoporosis en el País Vasco

Authors' objectives: To consider the status of osteoporosis in the Basque Country and the extent of the consequences resulting from its treatment, to propose the treatment guidelines and to evaluate the suitability of the bone density measurements as a matter of routine.

Authors' recommendations: Conclusions and recommendations: Recommendations were made concerning prevention measures of senile and post-menopausal osteoporosis (HRT and others), as well as for the rationalization of densitometry use as a diagnostic method but never as a screening process. Regarding the wide consumption of calcitonin, the panel advises to restrict it only to the specific indications. Implications for practice: To avoid the unnecessary use of densitometry, to rationalize the treatments and to promote the primary prevention. Other output or dissemination activity: Wide diffusion among general practitioners, and concerned specialists. Diffusion in mass media. Changes to practice: This proposal has been adopted by several health professionals. As a result the calcitonin prescription is decreasing. During 1992 the calcitonin prescription increased by 136% compared to the previous year. In 1993 increased by 48%. In 1994 and 1995 this prescription decreased by 15% and 11%. Update report: 1996.

Authors' methods: Affter the bibliographical research carried out in Medline and Health Plan and the analysis of the studies and research carried out by other Technology Assessment Agencies, the impact of osteoporosis and its treatment on our popullation and the Health Care System of the Basque Country have been evaluated. Finally a panel of experts (endocrinologgy, traumatollogy, rheumatology, gynaecology, family medicine, and pharmacy), was formed with the objective of formulating recommendarions corcerning the diagnostic prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in our region.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 1994

URL for published report: https://www.euskadi.eus/contenidos/informacion/1994_osteba_publicacion/es_def/adjuntos/1994/d_94_03_actuacion_osteoporosis.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: C/ Donostia – San Sebastián, 1 (Edificio Lakua II, 4ª planta) 01010 Vitoria - Gasteiz

Contact Name: Lorea Galnares-Cordero

Contact Email: lgalnares@bioef.eus

Copyright: <p>Osteba (Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment) Health Department of the Basque Government</p>