The International Osteoporosis Foundation’s Capture the Fracture® Initiative Marks Over One Million Post-Fracture Patients Identified Annually by Networked Fracture Liaison Services
In a transformative development for global bone health care, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) proudly announces that its Capture the Fracture® (CTF) program has exceeded a significant milestone. The network of 1,310 Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) affiliated with the initiative now collectively identify more than one million patients worldwide every year who experience fragility fractures. This achievement underscores a paradigm shift towards coordinated post-fracture care models aimed at secondary fracture prevention.
Fragility fractures, resulting from low-energy trauma and indicative of underlying osteoporosis, are recognized as a strong predictor of subsequent fractures. Scientific evidence reveals that following an initial fragility fracture, the individual’s risk of sustaining another fracture approximately doubles, with the highest vulnerability occurring within the first one to two years post-event. These subsequent fractures often result in increased morbidity, disability, loss of independence, and elevated mortality rates. Consequently, the establishment of specialized care pathways such as Fracture Liaison Services is critical to intercept this risk trajectory and mitigate long-term health consequences.
Fracture Liaison Services operate as multidisciplinary, coordinated programs within healthcare institutions. Their principal function is to ensure that patients presenting with osteoporotic fractures receive comprehensive evaluation for osteoporosis and fracture risk, followed by timely initiation of evidence-based treatments and sustained follow-up care. These programs bridge the historic gap in secondary fracture prevention, where patients were often discharged without appropriate assessment or intervention, perpetuating a cycle of recurrent fractures and escalating healthcare burdens.
The expansive growth of the Capture the Fracture® program over the last five years has been remarkable. The network has tripled in size and now stands as the preeminent global initiative dedicated to the implementation and optimization of post-fracture care services. By providing a comprehensive framework that encompasses advocacy, education, benchmarking of clinical services, mentorship, and formal recognition through a standardized Best Practice Framework (BPF), CTF drives continuous quality improvement across diverse healthcare settings.
Geographically, the CTF network demonstrates robust coverage and expansion. Among the 1,310 FLS units, over 500 operate within Europe, representing a dense concentration of coordinated care services. A further 500 services are established throughout the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the program’s cross-continental reach. However, disparities persist, with Africa exhibiting markedly limited FLS coverage and notable gaps in various Asia-Pacific countries. Indeed, regional audits reveal that in some Asia-Pacific nations, up to 25 percent have no fracture liaison services, and many others have minimal hospital-based service availability.
Professor Maria Luisa Brandi, Chair of Capture the Fracture®, emphasizes the significance of this milestone, stating that it reflects the transformative recognition of post-fracture care as a fundamental pillar within contemporary hospital management. She attributes these advancements to the concerted efforts of healthcare professionals worldwide, whose dedication to strengthening the FLS movement translates directly into improved patient outcomes. As she articulates, the collective endeavor toward closing the secondary fracture care gap promises to reshape patient trajectories by preventing future fractures and enhancing quality of life.
Despite these gains, substantial obstacles remain. The landmark SCOPE 2021 study highlights ongoing inadequacies in coordinated post-fracture care provision across Europe. In regions with limited service availability, many patients vulnerable to subsequent fractures remain unidentified and untreated according to established clinical guidelines. This systemic lapse exacerbates healthcare inequities and undermines the potential of preventive strategies to alleviate both individual and societal burdens linked to osteoporosis.
The human and economic costs of fragility fractures are profound. Such injuries often lead to substantial disability, reduced mobility, and protracted dependency, which collectively contribute to a diminished quality of life and elevated risk of premature death. Furthermore, they impose significant strain on healthcare infrastructures and social care systems. Given demographic trends showing an aging global population, projections indicate a substantial rise in osteoporosis-related fractures in coming decades, signaling urgent need for scalable, effective secondary prevention models.
A critical factor compounding the secondary fracture care deficit is the persistent gap in guideline adherence. Many patients who experience fragility fractures are not subject to systematic risk stratification or managed according to best practice recommendations, leading to underdiagnosis and undertreatment. This care gap underscores the necessity for robust clinical pathways and persistent vigilance within healthcare settings to ensure evidence-based osteoporosis management post-fracture.
The IOF renews its commitment to championing the expansion and enhancement of post-fracture care services through initiatives such as Capture the Fracture®. The foundation advocates that healthcare policymakers and providers intensify efforts to establish, resource, and refine FLS and allied multidisciplinary programs. Such investments are essential to scale secondary prevention and secure timely, effective treatment, ultimately reducing fracture incidence and improving patient outcomes on a global scale.
Capture the Fracture®’s operational framework offers FLS access to free evaluation and recognition via an online platform that benchmarks service quality against the rigorous Best Practice Framework. This structured approach incentivizes continual quality enhancement and fosters international collaboration among stakeholders engaged in fracture prevention. Additionally, CTF’s mentoring resources and educational materials elevate local capacity to implement scientifically grounded, patient-centered care models.
The interplay between clinical innovation, health system integration, and patient advocacy embodied by Capture the Fracture® demonstrates how coordinated post-fracture care can transition from isolated programs to a truly global movement. Bridging gaps in osteoporosis diagnosis and management after fragility fractures is pivotal in reversing the trajectory of this silent epidemic, promising a future wherein secondary osteoporotic fractures are markedly curtailed.
For further details about the Capture the Fracture® program and the ongoing global efforts to prevent secondary fractures through coordinated post-fracture care, the IOF encourages healthcare professionals and stakeholders to visit www.capturethefracture.org. The initiative’s commitment to transforming fracture prevention through collaborative, evidence-based strategies remains steadfast, aiming to elevate osteoporosis care standards worldwide.
Subject of Research: Secondary fracture prevention and coordinated post-fracture care services in osteoporosis.
Article Title: IOF’s Capture the Fracture® Network Surpasses One Million Post-Fracture Patient Identifications Annually, Advancing Global Bone Health.
News Publication Date: Not explicitly stated; derived as current announcement.
Web References:
– www.capturethefracture.org
– www.osteoporosis.foundation
Keywords: Osteoporosis, Fragility fractures, Fracture Liaison Services, Secondary fracture prevention, Post-fracture care, Coordinated healthcare services, Bone health, International Osteoporosis Foundation, Capture the Fracture®, Multidisciplinary care, Aging population, Healthcare quality improvement.
