VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL): Effects of Vitamin D Supplements on Risk of Falls in the US Population.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate whether daily supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (1 g/day) affects fall risk in generally healthy older adults.
Results Summary
The abstract does not report specific results for omega-3 fatty acids, focusing instead on vitamin D3 supplementation, which showed no significant effect on fall risk.
Population
Men aged 50+ and women aged 55+ without cancer or cardiovascular disease at baseline (mean age: 67.1 years).
Effective Dosage
1 g/day
Duration
5.3 years (median)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; 2000 IU/day) | no change | fall risk | generally healthy adults not selected for vitamin D insufficiency | - | did not decrease | #1 |
vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; 2000 IU/day) | no change | 2 or more falls | adults (men 50 years or older and women 55 years or older without cancer or cardiovascular disease) | 9.8% vs 9.4% | were similar | #2 |
vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; 2000 IU/day) | no change | 2 or more falls | adults (men 50 years or older and women 55 years or older without cancer or cardiovascular disease) | OR = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.90-1.05, P = .50 | no differences | #3 |
vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; 2000 IU/day) | no change | falls resulting in a doctor visit | adults (men 50 years or older and women 55 years or older without cancer or cardiovascular disease) | OR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94-1.13, P = .46 | no differences | #4 |
vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; 2000 IU/day) | no change | falls resulting in a hospital visit | adults (men 50 years or older and women 55 years or older without cancer or cardiovascular disease) | OR = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.90-1.19, P = .61 | no differences | #5 |
supplemental vitamin D | no change | primary prevention of falls | the US population | - | does not indicate that should be used | #6 |
CONTEXT: It is unclear whether vitamin D supplementation reduces risk of falls, and results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are conflicting. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work is to determine whether 2000 IU/day of supplemental vitamin D3 decreases fall risk. DESIGN: VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT including 25 871 adults, randomly assigned November 2011 to March 2014 and treated for 5.3 years (median). SETTING: This is a nationwide study. PARTICIPANTS: Men 50 years or older and women 55 years or older (mean age, 67.1 years) without cancer or cardiovascular disease at baseline participated in this study. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions included vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; 2000 IU/day) and/or omega-3 fatty acids (1 g/day) or respective placebos in a 2 × 2 factorial design. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome measures include 2 or more falls and falls resulting in a doctor or hospital visit. RESULTS: Baseline serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level was 77 nmol/L; characteristics were well-balanced between groups. Numbers of participants with 2 or more falls were similar between active and placebo groups (9.8% vs 9.4%). Over 5 years, there were no differences in the proportion having 2 or more falls (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.90-1.05, P = .50), falls resulting in a doctor visit (OR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94-1.13, P = .46), or resulting in a hospital visit (OR = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.90-1.19, P = .61) between groups. Results did not differ between those with baseline 25(OH)D less than 50 vs 50 nmol/L or greater or other cut points. CONCLUSION: Daily supplemental vitamin D3 vs placebo did not decrease fall risk in generally healthy adults not selected for vitamin D insufficiency. This large RCT does not indicate that supplemental vitamin D should be used for primary prevention of falls in the US population.