Cited by 667Vitamin D Research StudiesBone health and osteoporosis researchVitamin K Research Studies

Vitamin D and vitamin D analogues for preventing fractures associated with involutional and post-menopausal osteoporosis

Avenell, Alison, Gillespie, William J, Gillespie, Lesley D, O'Connell, Dianne·2009·Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D and related compounds have been used to prevent osteoporotic fractures in older people. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of vitamin D or related compounds, with or without calcium, for preventing fractures in older people. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 3), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and reference lists of articles. Most recent search: October 2007. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing vitamin D or related compounds, alone or with calcium, against placebo, no intervention, or calcium alone, reporting fracture outcomes in older people. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed trial quality, and extracted data. Data were pooled, where admissible, using the fixed-effect model, or random-effects model if heterogeneity between studies appeared high. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-five trials were included. Vitamin D alone appears unlikely to be effective in preventing hip fracture (nine trials, 24,749 participants, RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.33), vertebral fracture (five trials, 9138 participants, RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.92) or any new fracture (10 trials, 25,016 participants, RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.09).Vitamin D with calcium reduces hip fractures (eight trials, 46,658 participants, RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.96). Although subgroup analysis by residential status showed a significant reduction in hip fractures in people in institutional care, the difference between this and the community-dwelling subgroup was not significant (P = 0.15).Overall hypercalcaemia is significantly more common in people receiving vitamin D or an analogue, with or without calcium (18 trials, 11,346 participants, RR 2.35, 95% CI 1.59 to 3.47); this is especially true of calcitriol (four trials, 988 participants, RR 4.41, 95% CI 2.14 to 9.09). There is a modest increase in gastrointestinal symptoms (11 trials, 47,042 participants, RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.08, P = 0.04) and a small but significant increase in renal disease (11 trials, 46,537 participants, RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.33). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Frail older people confined to institutions may sustain fewer hip fractures if given vitamin D with calcium. Vitamin D alone is unlikely to prevent fracture. Overall there is a small but significant increase in gastrointestinal symptoms and renal disease associated with vitamin D or its analogues. Calcitriol is associated with an increased incidence of hypercalcaemia.

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Crossref · 10.1002/14651858.cd000227.pub3

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194 of 194 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • There are insufficient data for hip fracture outcomes from trials of alphacalcidiol, B12/folate, or vitamin K by other investigators, but vitamin K is reported to have no effect on bone density or vertebral fracture risk.

    “There are insufficient data for hip fracture outcomes from trials of alphacalcidiol, 26 B 12 /folate, or vitamin K by other investigators, but vitamin K is reported to have no effect on bone density 29 or vertebral fracture risk.30”
  • In low-income settings, the pubertal growth spurt is frequently extended, allowing a substantial degree of catch-up in height and weight compared with international growth reference standards.

    “However, in low-income settings, the pubertal growth spurt is frequently extended, thus allowing a substantial degree of catch-up in height and weight compared with the international growth reference standards.3”
  • Adolescence is a time for catch-up growth.

    “Adolescence is a time for catch-up growth; the extent to which pubertal growth can contribute to stunting recovery at this time is under much investigation, but studies of children who migrated or were adopted may offer more insight into later linear growth increases.3,82,83”
  • The necessary requirements of future frailty instruments, including clinical sensibility, have been defined.

    “The necessary requirements of future frailty instruments, including the important issue of clinical sensibility, have been defined (138).”

    From Frailty in elderly people (2013) · cites this paper as [138]

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Authors
Avenell, A., Gillespie, W. J., Gillespie, L. D., & O'Connell, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Aberdeen (GB)
  • University of Hull (GB)
  • University of Otago (NZ)
Venue
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Published
2009-04-15
Issue
2
Pages
CD000227-CD000227
ISSN
1361-6137 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1564323166
Cited by
667
References
205
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 42 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 57 · 2012: 54
Type
reference entry
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin K Research Studies
Keywords
vitamin D, vitamin D analogs, osteoporosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis, involutional osteoporosis, fracture prevention, hip fracture, vertebral fractures, calcium supplementation, hypercalcemia, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, community-dwelling older adults, fall prevention, falls in older adults
MeSH terms
Aged, Calcitriol, Female, Humans, Hydroxycholecalciferols, Male, Osteoporosis, Vitamin D, Vitamins, Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Frail Elderly, Dietary Supplements, Bone Density Conservation Agents, Fractures, Bone

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