Fracture prevention with vitamin D supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract
CONTEXT: The role and dose of oral vitamin D supplementation in nonvertebral fracture prevention have not been well established. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in preventing hip and nonvertebral fractures in older persons. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of English and non-English articles using MEDLINE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1960-2005), and EMBASE (1991-2005). Additional studies were identified by contacting clinical experts and searching bibliographies and abstracts presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (1995-2004). Search terms included randomized controlled trial (RCT), controlled clinical trial, random allocation, double-blind method, cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, fractures, humans, elderly, falls, and bone density. STUDY SELECTION: Only double-blind RCTs of oral vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol) with or without calcium supplementation vs calcium supplementation or placebo in older persons (> or =60 years) that examined hip or nonvertebral fractures were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Independent extraction of articles by 2 authors using predefined data fields, including study quality indicators. DATA SYNTHESIS: All pooled analyses were based on random-effects models. Five RCTs for hip fracture (n = 9294) and 7 RCTs for nonvertebral fracture risk (n = 9820) met our inclusion criteria. All trials used cholecalciferol. Heterogeneity among…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 9,820 participants or records.
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