[Implementation of a fracture liaison service. Experience with 177 patients].

Rev Med Chil

Departamento de Ortopedia y Traumatología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Published: December 2022

Background: Every year about 9 million fragility fractures (FF) occur worldwide and 80% of these are underdiagnosed or undertreated. Aiming to close the gap of diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) were developed.

Aim: To describe the implementation of the first FLS in Chile, its inclusion criteria, patient enrolment, treatment adherence and referrals during the first year.

Material And Methods: A FLS was implemented at a health care network composed by two hospitals. The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) guidelines were applied with a nurse practitioner as the coordinator. From May 2020 to April 2021 all patients diagnosed with a FF in the emergency rooms were invited to participate. Patients with pathological fractures and active cancer were excluded. Demographical data, fracture location, previous fractures, treatment and adherence, and mortality were recorded.

Results: From 443 patients with a diagnosis of FF, 177 patients (40%) accepted to participate. Their mean age was 74 ± 13 years and 84% (149) were female. Forty eight percent (84) had a lower extremity FF. Hip fractures were the most common (67). Ninety-five patients reported previous FF and 11,2% (20) had received anti-osteoporotic treatment. At four months of follow-up, 62% (50) had received vitamin D and calcium supplementation and 20% (16) of those patients with an indication of anti-osteoporotic drugs, had received them.

Conclusions: The implementation of the FLS was successful with a 40% enrolment of patients, receiving certification by the IOF.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/s0034-98872022001201613DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

fracture liaison
8
implementation fls
8
treatment adherence
8
patients
7
[implementation fracture
4
liaison service
4
service experience
4
experience 177
4
177 patients]
4
patients] background
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!