The risk of osteoporosis experienced by patients

Abstract

The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) was established in the Western Infirmary, Glasgow in 1999. This service provides patients over 50 years who present with new low trauma fractures, assessment for treatment for the secondary prevention of fractures. The FLS is effected by Osteoporosis Nurse Specialists who visit the orthopaedic ward and fracture clinic daily to invite patients to attend for DXA and assessment at the one stop clinics. Since 2007, the FLS has extended its strategy to link with radiology and receive monthly reports of people sustaining vertebral fractureswhodonot traditionally present toorthopaedicunits. In the first 8 years of the FLS, 11096 patients were processed through the FLS. 29% of these patients had sustained wrist fractures and 24% hip fractures. 21% refused assessment, some due to illness or non-attendance at the clinic. Of the remaining 79% of patients, 39% were recommended bisphosphonate treatment, 30% calcium & vitamin D alone, 3% other treatments including Strontium but 28% did not require any treatment following their DXA scan and assessment. Patients can be referred on to physiotherapy exercise classes and for falls assessment if required. Education is essential for those diagnosed with osteoporosis and patients are all offered the opportunity to attend an osteoporosis education afternoon approximately one year after diagnosis and feedback from these meetings is excellent.