Guidelines do help change behavior in the management of osteoporosis by gastroenterologists.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The American College of Gastroenterology supported the development of evidence-based guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease. Our aim was to determine the short-term impact of the guidelines on practice patterns.

METHODS: Two hundred clinicians were surveyed prior to and 3 and 6 months after the guidelines were disseminated. The number of bone density scans ordered by these physicians was also determined before and 3 and 6 months after guidelines were distributed.

RESULTS: At the end of 3 months, only 20% of subjects admitted to having read the guidelines. There was a significant number of subjects who felt more comfortable treating osteoporosis (20%vs 10% prior to dissemination of the guidelines [p
CONCLUSIONS: Although a minority of subjects read the guidelines, there was a significant impact on the short-term practice patterns of these practitioners.