The role of vitamin D in the treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly
Abstract
During the last 5 years several randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trials have documented that a supplementation with vitamin D (400-1,200 IU per day) together with calcium (800-1,500 mg per day) may reduce the risk of falls and fall-related fractures in the elderly. This is especially the case in elderly women >or= 65 years of age with a serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D(3) level < 50 nmol/l. Based on the results of a recently published meta-analysis involving more than 10,000 participants, the grade of evidence according to the Oxford Centre of Evidence-based Medicine is Ia with respect to the primary prevention of falls in the elderly population.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 10,000 participants or records.
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