Fall prevention and vitamin D in the elderly: an overview of the key role of the non-bone effects.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential of vitamin D and calcium supplementation in reducing falls and fractures in the elderly.
Results Summary
The study found mixed results, with some studies showing significant reductions in falls and fractures, while others reported no effect. The abstract suggests that vitamin D-calcium supplementation may have potential due to its simplicity and low cost, but inconsistencies in published data were noted.
Population
Older adults (elderly)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
supplementation of vitamin D and/or of calcium | decrease | fall and fracture rates | the elderly | - | may reduce | #1 |
vitamin D-calcium supplement | neutral | - | - | - | appears to have a high potential | #2 |
vitamin D-calcium supplement | no change | falls and fractures | - | - | some studies failed to show any effect | #3 |
vitamin D-calcium supplement | decrease | falls and fractures | - | - | others reported a significant decrease | #4 |
vitamin D | neutral | postural adaptations | older adults | - | action on postural adaptations | #5 |
vitamin D | decrease | fall and bone fracture rates | - | - | may explain the decreased | #6 |
Vitamin D supplementation | neutral | - | older adults | - | should thus be integrated into primary and secondary fall prevention strategies | #7 |
Preventing falls and fall-related fractures in the elderly is an objective yet to be reached. There is increasing evidence that a supplementation of vitamin D and/or of calcium may reduce the fall and fracture rates. A vitamin D-calcium supplement appears to have a high potential due to its simple application and its low cost. However, published studies have shown conflicting results as some studies failed to show any effect, while others reported a significant decrease of falls and fractures. Through a 15-year literature overview, and after a brief reminder on mechanism of falls in older adults, we reported evidences for a vitamin D action on postural adaptations - i.e., muscles and central nervous system - which may explain the decreased fall and bone fracture rates and we underlined the reasons for differences and controversies between published data. Vitamin D supplementation should thus be integrated into primary and secondary fall prevention strategies in older adults.