Meta-Analysis: Calcium, Vitamin D Supplements Don't Prevent Fractures in Community-Dwelling Elders

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH

Supplementation with calcium or vitamin D — either alone or in combination — does not reduce fracture risk in community-dwelling older adults, according to a meta-analysis in JAMA.

The analysis included 33 randomized trials comparing supplementation with placebo or no treatment in roughly 50,000 adults aged 50 and older. Overall, neither calcium nor vitamin D supplementation was associated with significantly reduced risks for hip, vertebral, nonvertebral, or total fractures. Results generally did not vary by sex, supplement dose, or participant's baseline serum level of vitamin D.

Findings were similar for calcium and vitamin D supplements combined.

The authors conclude, "These findings do not support the routine use of these supplements in community-dwelling older people." Of note, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not currently recommend calcium or vitamin D supplementation for fracture prevention in this population.