TY - JOUR
TI - Experience gained from the implementation of the fracture liaison service in Greece
AU - Makras, P.
AU - Babis, G.C.
AU - Chronopoulos, E.
AU - Karachalios, T.
AU - Kazakos, K.
AU - Paridis, D.
AU - Potoupnis, M.
AU - Tzavellas, A.-N.
AU - Valkanis, C.
AU - Kosmidis, C.
JO - Archives of Osteoporosis
PY - 2020
VL - 15
TODO - 1
SP - null
PB - Springer-Verlag
SN - 1862-3522, 1862-3514
TODO - 10.1007/s11657-019-0675-1
TODO - aged;  Article;  bone metabolism;  diagnostic test accuracy study;  female;  follow up;  fracture liaison service;  fragility fracture;  Greece;  health program;  health service;  hospital patient;  human;  incidence;  major clinical study;  male;  multicenter study;  osteoporosis;  patient compliance;  priority journal;  prospective study;  treatment outcome;  clinical trial;  fragility fracture;  hip fracture;  middle aged;  patient attitude;  procedures;  secondary prevention;  spine fracture;  very elderly, bone density conservation agent, Aged;  Aged, 80 and over;  Bone Density Conservation Agents;  Female;  Greece;  Hip Fractures;  Humans;  Male;  Middle Aged;  Osteoporotic Fractures;  Patient Acceptance of Health Care;  Prospective Studies;  Secondary Prevention;  Spinal Fractures;  Treatment Adherence and Compliance
TODO - Introduction: We present the second implementation of a fracture liaison service (FLS) at a national level in Greece. Methods: This was a multicenter prospective study, organized by the Hellenic Society for the Study of Bone Metabolism, aiming to investigate the tracking and outcome of patients with low-trauma fractures visiting four university orthopedic departments across the country. The primary endpoint was the participation rate of eligible patients with low-trauma fractures in the program within a time frame of 1 year. Secondary outcomes included the percentage of patients initiating osteoporosis treatment, adherence to treatment, and the percentage of patients experiencing subsequent fractures. A major difference with previous reports was the designed implication of the orthopedic surgeon managing the fracture. Results: Among the 1350 eligible patients with major osteoporotic fractures, only 396 (29.3%; mean age 78.1 ± 11.6 years; female/male ratio: 4.4) agreed to participate, nearly all of the latter (n = 392) completing the study. With the exception of seven patients, all participants were receiving anti-osteoporotic treatment at the end of the study. Twelve new fractures were recorded at completion of the 12-month follow-up, which were all sustained in patients who either declined to receive anti-osteoporotic treatment or who discontinued treatment despite advice to the contrary. Conclusion: The participation rate remains low and needs improvement. However, we report herein that whenever the treating physician is involved in the FLS structure, patients are more easily convinced to complete the program, to receive anti-osteoporotic treatment, and to stay connected throughout with the outpatient clinic. © 2020, International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation.
ER -