Background
Fracture liaison services (FLS) have been established globally to assist with secondary fracture prevention and reduce the risk of re-fractures. Predictors of re-fracture and mortality amongst patients managed within a FLS are not well established.
Methods
This long-term prospective observational study included 526 patients with prevalent osteoporotic fractures, originally recruited between 2005-2010, and managed by the Concord Hospital FLS according to best practice. Clinical and anthropometric characteristics were recorded at follow-up visits. Long-term data on re-fracture status, mortality and pharmacotherapy adherence were obtained via government data linkage. The primary outcome was to determine the predictors of re-fracture and mortality. Secondary outcomes were mortality rate and adherence to osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.
Results
Mean age was 66 years (SD 11) and 80% were female. During a median follow-up of 11.7 years (range 0.5-15.4), the incidence rates per 1,000 person-years were 50.1 (CI:44.0-57.0) for any osteoporotic re-fracture, 24.9 (CI:21.0-29.6) for major osteoporotic re-fracture and 10.2 (CI: 7.9-13.2) for hip re-fracture. Multivariable predictors of major osteoporotic re-fracture included any falls <12 months (SHR 2.06,CI:1.33-3.20), lower femoral neck (FN) BMD (SHR 1.55,CI:1.20-2.00) and 2-year medication possession ratio <0.5 (SHR 1.73,CI:1.12-2.66). Consuming ≥3 standard drinks/day of alcohol predicted any osteoporotic re-fracture (SHR 2.25,CI:1.07-4.72), while increasing age predicted hip re-fracture (SHR 1.67,CI:1.14-2.45). Overall mortality was 28.7%, with re-fracture associated with increased mortality. In both sexes aged >80 years, the mortality rate was >3 times higher in those who re-fractured compared to those who did not. Increasing age (HR 2.96,CI:2.24-3.92), male sex (HR 2.42,CI:1.34-4.39) and lower FN BMD (HR 1.37,CI:1.08-1.74) were also independent predictors of mortality.
Conclusion
Amongst one of the longest-running FLS cohorts, prevalent falls, lower FN BMD and poor pharmacotherapy adherence predicted re-fracture; while re-fracture, male sex and lower FN BMD predicted mortality. Early identification of these high-risk individuals is crucial to improve long-term outcomes.