Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of fractures
Jackson RD, LaCroix AZ, Gass M, Wallace RB, Robbins J, Lewis CE, et al.
Published in N Engl J Med, Vol. 354 (7), pp. 669-83
Methodology
Women's Health Initiative calcium and vitamin D trial: double-blind randomised trial of 1,000 mg elemental calcium (as calcium carbonate) plus 400 IU vitamin D3 daily versus placebo in 36,282 postmenopausal women aged 50-79, followed for an average of 7.0 years. Bone density measured at three centres.
Key Findings
Hip bone density was 1.06% higher with calcium plus vitamin D (P < 0.01). Intention to treat: hip fracture HR 0.88 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.08), clinical spine fracture HR 0.90 (0.74 to 1.10), total fractures HR 0.96 (0.91 to 1.02). Kidney stones rose (HR 1.17, 1.02 to 1.34). Among women who kept taking the pills, hip fracture HR was 0.71 (0.52 to 0.97).
Conclusions
In healthy postmenopausal women, calcium with vitamin D slightly improved hip bone density, did not significantly reduce hip fracture and increased kidney stones.
Limitations
Healthy women, many of whom took their own calcium and vitamin D; modest vitamin D dose; the adherence analysis is not randomised.
Supplements Studied
Outcomes Measured
Hip bone density was 1.06 percent higher in the calcium plus vitamin D group
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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