ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures constitute a capital public health issue associated with aging and frailty because of its impact on both quality of life and morbidity and mortality in older people. Fracture liaison services (FLS) have been proposed as tools to minimize this emergent problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted with 101 patients treated for hip fracture by the FLS of a regional hospital between October 2019 and June 2021 (20 months). Epidemiological, clinical, surgical, and management variables were collected during admission and up to 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 87.6 ± 6.1 years and 77.2% were female. Some degree of cognitive impairment was detected at admission in 71.3% of patients using the Pfeiffer questionnaire, and 13.9% were nursing home residents, and 76.24% could walk independently before the fracture. Fractures were more commonly pertrochanteric (45.5%). Patients were receiving antiosteoporotic therapy in 10.9% of cases. The median surgical delay from admission was 26 h (RIC 15-46 h), the median length of stay was 6 days (RIC 3-9 days) and in-hospital mortality was 10.9%, and 19.8% at 30 days, with a readmission rate of 5%. DISCUSSION: Patients treated in our FLS at the beginning of its activity were similar to the general picture in our country in terms of age, sex, type of fracture, and proportion of patients treated surgically. A high mortality rate was observed, and low rates of pharmacological secondary prevention were followed at discharge. Clinical results of FLS implementation in regional hospitals should be assessed prospectively in order to decide their suitability.
ABSTRACT
Los pacientes con fracturas por fragilidad presentan elevadas tasas de morbimortalidad, lo que implica además un alto costo para el erario público. Luego de una fractura por osteoporosis, la mayoría de los pacientes no recibe una adecuada evaluación y tratamiento. Para suplir este vacío de atención médica se crearon distintas políticas; la mejor de ellas son los Servicios de Enlace de Pacientes con Fracturas (Fracture Liaison Service, en inglés). Estos programas tienen una vigencia internacional de más de diez años y son patrocinados por organismos internacionales. La finalidad de estos servicios es la prevención secundaria de fracturas. La modalidad de trabajo tiene como objetivo facilitar y asegurar la rápida identificación, el diagnóstico y la terapéutica de esta población en diferentes contextos asistenciales. La experiencia internacional demuestra que estos servicios son exitosos pues logran incrementar el inicio y la adherencia al tratamiento, disminuir las tasas de mortalidad, de morbilidad y de nuevas fracturas, y son costo-efectivos. En nuestro medio, el inicio de los Servicios de Enlace es reciente. El propósito de esta actualización es realizar una revisión de los fundamentos, características, modalidad operativa y los logros obtenidos por dichos programas. Las fracturas por fragilidad ósea constituyen un problema importante para la salud pública. Esta presentación tiene como objetivo alertar y motivar a la comunidad médica a intervenir de manera sistemática y dinámica para mejorar el cuidado habitual en esta población de pacientes. (AU)
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. (AU)
