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Therapeutics
Review: vitamin D plus calcium, but not vitamin D alone, prevents osteoporotic fractures in older people

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebm.11.1.13

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    Avenell A, Gillespie WJ, Gillespie LD, et al. Vitamin D and vitamin D analogues for preventing fractures associated with involutional and post-menopausal osteoporosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005;(3):CD000227.

    
 
 Q In older people, does supplementation with vitamin D, with or without calcium, reduce fractures?

    Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★★☆ Geriatrics ★★★★★☆☆ Endocrine ★★★★★☆☆

    METHODS

    Embedded ImageData sources

    10 databases, lists of conference abstracts, bibliographies of relevant studies, and contact with researchers in the field.

    Embedded ImageStudy selection and assessment:

    randomised and quasirandomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared vitamin D or its analogue (with or without calcium) with placebo, no intervention, or calcium alone in postmenopausal women or men >65 years of age. Studies of patients on corticosteroid therapy were excluded. 2 reviewers assessed study quality.

    Embedded ImageOutcomes:

    new vertebral, hip, and other non-vertebral fractures and adverse events.

    MAIN RESULTS

    38 RCTs met the selection criteria. The quality of study methods ranged from poor to satisfactory: 34% had concealment of allocation, and 54% were blinded. Vitamin D alone did not prevent hip, vertebral, or any …

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    Footnotes

    • For correspondence: Dr A Avenell, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK. a.avenell{at}abdn.ac.uk

    • Sources of funding: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; Scottish Executive Health Department; Health Research Council of New Zealand; Medical Research Council, UK.