[Summary of the guideline 'Osteoporosis' of the Dutch College of General Practitioners. Dutch College of General Practitioners].

The Dutch College of General Practitioners issued a standard 'Osteoporosis' with guidelines for prevention, diagnosis and treatment in patients who have a (probably) osteoporotic fracture, who are taking at least 7.5 mg corticosteroids per day for at least six months or who have questions about osteoporosis. The core of the management is information about lifestyle (stimulation of physical activity) and nutrition. Prevention of falling is to be stimulated; sedatives, excessive drinking and smoking are to be discouraged. Persons who cannot achieve a calcium intake of 500 mg/day, patients with osteoporotic fractures and takers of biphosphonates or corticosteroids whose calcium intake is insufficient are eligible for calcium suppletion. In patients with (probably) osteoporotic fractures and those taking 7.5 mg corticosteroids per day for longer than six months preventive treatment may be considered with alendronic acid for a maximum of 3 years, if several vertebral fractures are visible roentgenologically, the T score is < -2.5 (if age < 70 years) or the Z score < -1.0 (> 70 years).