[Osteoporosis. Attitude and opinion of Austrian physicians]

251 participants of a representative sample of Austrian physicians (general practitoners, gynecologists, internists) stated their attitudes towards osteoporosis risk factors and methods of prevention. About half of the doctors believe that osteoporosis has less influence on public health than coronary heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Concerning osteoporosis they estimate prevention as most important. For the doctors the most effective preventive strategies, for pre- as well as for postmenopausal women, are physical activity, high calcium intake, and postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy. Some of the risk factors are very close to the individual lifestyle (e.g. physical activity, nutrition and smoking), 83% of the physicians think that lack of exercise has a great influence on osteoporosis risk, 64% think the same about low calcium intake, 95% about lack of estrogen and 80% about positive family history. Within the physicians as well as the general population osteoporosis awareness is most important concerning growing life expectancy and demographic aspects. Due to this fact it is essential that more than two thirds of the doctors estimate preventive measures as successful.