Fracture Liaison Service Database report (FFFAP)

Reports | Published: 09 Jan 2025

The Falls and Fragility Fractures Audit Programme (FFFAP) has published ‘You’ve had a fracture; how can we prevent another?’, a report based on data from the Fracture Liaison Service Database (FLS-DB) from 1 January to 31 December 2023.

People who sustain a bone break after minimal trauma occupy more hospital bed days than those who have had heart attacks and strokes

The focus of this year’s annual report is on ensuring that patients who are at high risk of another broken bone have started anti-osteoporosis treatment within 16 weeks of their first broken bone, finding that the percentage had increased from 30.0% (2022) to 35.4% (2023). However, getting high-risk patients onto anti-osteoporosis treatment as soon as possible remains a priority.

Overall, there was a small improvement in most of the audit’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in 2023, apart from data completion. Compared with last year, older people are more likely to have a bone density scan (DXA) within 90 days, and more likely to be monitored at 16 weeks. Men remain less likely to have a falls assessment and initiate and adhere to anti-osteoporosis treatment than women. Also, access to timely DXA was also lower among care home residents than non-residents.

The report also highlights regional variations. Maps of England and Wales demonstrate trends in regional variation with poorer identification rates in coastal areas. Wales had more hip fractures submitted than England, with fewer spine fractures. A more detailed and direct comparison of Wales and England demonstrated the following significant differences:

  • Assessment within 90 days – England 64.2%; Wales 81.1%
  • DXA within 90 days – England 35%; Wales 20%
  • 16-week follow-up – England 28%; Wales 38%
  • Treatment by first follow-up – England 35%; Wales 38%.

Read the full report: You can see all key findings and read the report in full by clicking on the link below.

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More information: For further information, go to the programme page on this website.

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