Calcium and Vitamin D Might Not Prevent Recurrent Fractures in Elders

Randomized trials of vitamin D and calcium to prevent fractures have yielded inconsistent results, probably in large part due to differences in patient populations and study design. To study the effectiveness of these supplements in preventing recurrent osteoporotic fractures in relatively healthy elders, investigators in the U.K. randomized 5292 people (age, ≥70; all mobile before developing low-trauma fractures) to receive daily oral vitamin D (800 IU), calcium (1000 mg), both, or placebo. Adherence to treatment was measured with self-administered questionnaires every 4 months, and information about new fractures was collected from subjects, families, health care providers, and national databases.

After 24 months, only about 47% of subject…