Osteoporotic fracture liaison service

Abstract

Fragility fractures are associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates and higher costs. After a fracture, most patients do not receive adequate assessment and treatment. To fill this gap in medical care, different policies have been created; the best of them being the Fracture Liaison Services. These programs have been in place for over ten years worldwide and are sponsored by international organisms and societies.
The purpose of the Fracture Liaison Services is secondary fracture prevention. Their goal is to ensure the rapid identification, diagnosis and treatment of this population in different clinical contexts. They increase treatment adherence and decrease mortality and morbidity rates and the incidence of new fractures. International experience shows that these services are successful and costeffective.