New FLS in Londrina, Brazil, strengthens commitment to fracture prevention through community outreach
The University Hospital of Londrina (HU–UEL) has taken a significant step in the care of patients with fragility fractures by officially inaugurating its Ambulatório de Fragilidade Óssea in the specialty care area (AEHU) this May. This service, which had been operating as a pilot project since September 2024, was established to care for individuals over the age of 50 who have suffered fragility fractures, following the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) model.
The outpatient clinic represents a decisive step toward multidisciplinary and integrated care. From the moment patients are admitted to the emergency department, those with fractures are referred for specialized assessment, aiming to prevent future fractures, improve quality of life, and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
Dr. Fernando Tadaaki Yabushita, coordinator of the HU–UEL FLS and hip surgery specialist, highlighted the magnitude of the problem:
"Fragility fractures affect one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50. However, 80% of these patients do not receive proper osteoporosis evaluation or treatment, leading to up to 86% of them suffering another fracture within the following year.”
As part of its commitment to bone health, on May 21, 2025, Dr. Yabushita participated in an educational activity for older adults, held as part of the PROvida project at UNOPAR University – Piza campus. The event was coordinated by Prof. Dr. Márcio Rogério de Oliveira, director of the Master’s and Doctoral Program in Physical Exercise and Health Promotion.
The session aimed to raise awareness about bone health care among the older population, with a particular focus on preventing osteoporosis and fractures. Participants received guidance on the importance of bone mineral density testing, previous test results were reviewed, and for those without prior studies, the FRAX Brazil 2.0 tool was used to calculate individual fracture risk.
The results confirmed cases of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and high fracture risk in several participants. This enabled timely referral for clinical follow-up and emphasized the importance of early detection. Additionally, educational sessions were held at the Londrina (PR) Senior Community Center, with strong participation from community members interested in learning more about fall prevention, fractures, and healthy lifestyle habits.
“This initiative reinforces the commitment of Londrina’s FLS to integrating community education with clinical care. Raising awareness about bone fragility is key to strengthening the continuous care model promoted by the FLS, helping reduce fracture risk and supporting healthy aging,” emphasized Dr. Yabushita.
These actions mark a milestone in the growth of the HU–UEL FLS and serve as a compelling example of the positive impact of combining community education with targeted clinical interventions for osteoporosis fracture prevention in the region.
