Calcium and vitamin D3 supplements do not prevent fractures
Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3, either alone or in combination, is not effective in the prevention of fractures in elderly people, according to two new UK studies.
The first study involved 5,292 people aged 70 years or older who had
had a low-trauma osteoporotic fracture in the previous 10 years. Participants
received a daily supplement of either 800 IU vitamin D3, 1,000mg calcium,
a combination of these two, or placebo. Follow up was for between 24
and 62 months.
A total of 698 participants had a new low-trauma fracture but no difference
was observed between the treatment or placebo groups in the incidence
of fractures. The researchers conclude that policies for secondary prevention
of fractures should consider other strategies. They note that the value
of supplements for primary prevention or for those in care homes was
not addressed in their study (published online on 28 April in The
Lancet at www.thelancet.com).
The second study involved 3,314 women in primary care aged 70 years or
older with one or more risk factors for hip fracture. Participants received
a daily supplement of 1,000mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D3 along with
a leaflet on dietary calacium intake and falls prevention, or a leaflet
alone.
After a median follow up of 25 months, 149 fractures were reported (lower
than anticipated) but no difference in rate of all fractures was found
between the two groups. The researchers conclude that they found no evidence
that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3 affects fracture rates
in this population (BMJ 2005;330:1003). |
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