REVIEW - Calcium and vitamin D in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures

June 5, 2008

QJM Advance Access originally published online on March 14, 2006

QJM 2006 99(6):355-363; doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcl031

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reviews

Calcium and vitamin D in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures

R.M. Francis1,, F.H. 2, S. Patel3, O. Sahota4 and T.P. van Staa5

From the 1School of Clinical Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle

upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2Geriatric Medicine Group, University

of Southampton, Southampton, 3Department of Rheumatology, St Helier

Hospital, Carshalton, 4Department of Health Care of the Elderly,

Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK and

5Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals and University of Utrecht,

Utrecht, Netherlands

Osteoporosis has been defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by

compromised bone strength, predisposing a person to increased risk of

fracture.1 The three major osteoporotic fractures are those of the

forearm, vertebra and hip, but fractures of the humerus, pelvis and

ribs are also common. The incidence of these fracture rises steeply

with age, such that most occur in people aged >65 years, where they

are associated with excess mortality, substantial morbidity, and

significant health and social services expenditure.2 This paper

outlines the physiological roles of calcium and vitamin D, and

assesses the current criteria for adequate calcium intake and optimal

vitamin D status in adults. It highlights the prevalence of vitamin D

insufficiency and low calcium intake in the UK, and reviews studies of

vitamin D supplementation, with and without calcium, in the prevention

of falls and fractures. Relevant clinical trials were identified using

the search strategies described in recent meta-analyses.3,4

***********************************************************

Read the entire article here:

--

Not an MD

Recommended Posts