Vitamin D and prevention of osteoporotic fractures
Writing for the California Technology Assessment Forum, Dr. Jeffrey Tice at the University of California has reviewed vitamin D and calcium as an option to lower the risk of osteoporotic fractures.
Here’s what we know.
Osteoporotic fractures
- In the United States, the estimated direct cost for care of patients suffering osteoporotic fractures was $17 billion in 2005.
- Hip and vertebral fractures cause significant disability and are associated with increased mortality.
Vitamin D
- Vitamin D alone is ineffective, but vitamin D plus calcium reduces total fractures by 14% and hip fractures by 18%.
- The form of vitamin D used and the dose does not alter the efficacy of vitamin D plus calcium therapy.
- 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D taken daily with 1000 to 1200 mg of calcium reduces fractures by approximately 14%.
- The greatest benefits are in people at high risk for fracture — those over 70 or those with prior osteoporotic fractures.
- Kidney stones are more common, but the absolute increase was small.
The bottom line?
There is a trend towards lower mortality in patients receiving vitamin D therapy.
Accordingly, Dr. Tice concludes, “Use of vitamin D combined with calcium meets California Technology Assessment Forum technology assessment… for safety, effectiveness, and improvement in health outcomes for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures.”
8/9/11 20:28 JR
