Fracture Liaison Service increases Osteoporosis treatment and reduces the risk of secondary fracture in Portugal

This study included 551 patients with fragility fracture (346 before and 205 after FLS implementation) and aimed at evaluating the impact of the implementation of a Portuguese FLS on Osteoporosis treatment, secondary fracture, and mortality rates three years after a fragility fracture. 

The FLS protocol was based on the cooperation between Orthopaedic/Traumatology Department (Identification of patients at Risk) and Rheumatology Department (OP assessment, Subsequent treatment by Physiatrist and Rheumatologist). Secondary fragility fractures, hospitalizations, and mortality were assessed 36 months from the date of the index fracture. 

The results of the study showed that the FLS significantly increased the rate of Osteoporosis treatment, when compared with standard clinical practice (8.1% vs 77.6%). During follow-up, the secondary fracture rate was 14.7% and 7.3%, before and after FLS, respectively. Moreover, the FLS implementation reduced the probability of secondary fracture. Α lower mortality rate was also observed but FLS was not a significant predictor of survival. 

According to the authors of the study: ‘We believe that our work supports the establishment of national programs with the adoption of the FLS model, which could lead to better Osteoporosis outcomes regarding fractures and mortality, and promote quality of life’. 

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