Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and risk of fractures: an updated meta-analysis from the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether calcium plus vitamin D supplementation reduces fracture risk in adults through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Results Summary
The meta-analysis found a statistically significant 15% reduction in total fractures and a 30% reduction in hip fractures with calcium plus vitamin D supplementation. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses supported these findings.
Population
Community-dwelling and institutionalized middle-aged to older adults (30,970 participants across eight studies).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | decrease | total fractures | adults | 15 % | significant 15 % reduced risk | #1 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | decrease | hip fractures | adults | 30 % | 30 % reduced risk | #2 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | decrease | total fractures | - | 15 % | produced a statistically significant 15 % reduced risk | #3 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplementation | decrease | hip fractures | - | 30 % | 30 % reduced risk | #4 |
calcium plus vitamin D supplements | decrease | fracture risk | both community-dwelling and institutionalized middle-aged to older adults | - | supports the use ... as an intervention for fracture risk reduction | #5 |
UNLABELLED: The aim was to meta-analyze randomized controlled trials of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fracture prevention. Meta-analysis showed a significant 15 % reduced risk of total fractures (summary relative risk estimate [SRRE], 0.85; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.98) and a 30 % reduced risk of hip fractures (SRRE, 0.70; 95 % CI, 0.56-0.87). INTRODUCTION: Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation has been widely recommended to prevent osteoporosis and subsequent fractures; however, considerable controversy exists regarding the association of such supplementation and fracture risk. The aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [RCTs] of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fracture prevention in adults. METHODS: A PubMed literature search was conducted for the period from July 1, 2011 through July 31, 2015. RCTs reporting the effect of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation on fracture incidence were selected from English-language studies. Qualitative and quantitative information was extracted; random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to generate summary relative risk estimates (SRREs) for total and hip fractures. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test and the I (2) statistic, and potential for publication bias was assessed. RESULTS: Of the citations retrieved, eight studies including 30,970 participants met criteria for inclusion in the primary analysis, reporting 195 hip fractures and 2231 total fractures. Meta-analysis of all studies showed that calcium plus vitamin D supplementation produced a statistically significant 15 % reduced risk of total fractures (SRRE, 0.85; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.98) and a 30 % reduced risk of hip fractures (SRRE, 0.70; 95 % CI, 0.56-0.87). Numerous sensitivity and subgroup analyses produced similar summary associations. A limitation is that this study utilized data from subgroup analysis of the Women's Health Initiative. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of RCTs supports the use of calcium plus vitamin D supplements as an intervention for fracture risk reduction in both community-dwelling and institutionalized middle-aged to older adults.