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document
Effects of a long-term vitamin D and calcium supplementation on falls and parameters of muscle function in community-dwelling older individuals . UNLABELLED In 242 community-dwelling seniors , supplementation with either 1000 mg of calcium or 1000 mg of calcium plus vitamin D resulted in a decrease in the number of subjects with first falls of 27 % at month 12 and 39 % at month 20 . Additionally , parameters of muscle function improved significantly . INTRODUCTION The efficacy of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on risk of falling in the elderly is discussed controversially . Randomized controlled trials using falls as primary outcome are needed . We investigated long-term effects of calcium and vitamin D on falls and parameters of muscle function in community-dwelling elderly women and men . METHODS Our study population consisted of 242 individuals recruited by advertisements and mailing lists ( mean [ +/- SD ] age , 77 +/- 4 years ) . All serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D ( 25 [ OH ] D ) levels were below 78 nmol/l . Individuals received in a double blinded fashion either 1000 mg of calcium or 1000 mg of calcium plus 800 IU of vitamin D per day over a treatment period of 12 months , which was followed by a treatment-free but still blinded observation period of 8 months . Falls were documented using diaries . The study took place in Bad Pyrmont , Germany ( latitude 52 degrees ) and Graz , Austria ( latitude 46 degrees ) . RESULTS Compared to calcium mono , supplementation with calcium plus vitamin D resulted in a significant decrease in the number of subjects with first falls of 27 % at month 12 ( RR = 0.73 ; CI = 0.54-0.96 ) and 39 % at month 20 ( RR = 0.61 ; CI = 0.34-0.76 ) . Concerning secondary endpoints , we observed significant improvements in quadriceps strength of 8 % , a decrease in body sway of 28 % , and a decrease in time needed to perform the TUG test of 11 % . DISCUSSION Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation proved superior to calcium alone in reducing the number of falls and improving muscle function in community-dwelling older individuals .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin D
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Intervention_Pharmacological
calcium supplementation
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Intervention_Pharmacological
calcium
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Intervention_Pharmacological
calcium plus vitamin D
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin D
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Intervention_Pharmacological
calcium
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Intervention_Pharmacological
calcium
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin D
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Intervention_Pharmacological
calcium
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Intervention_Pharmacological
calcium
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin D
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin D
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Intervention_Pharmacological
calcium
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin D
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Outcome_Physical
falls and parameters of muscle function
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Outcome_Physical
muscle function
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Outcome_Physical
risk of falling
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Outcome_Other
falls and parameters of muscle function
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Outcome_Physical
Falls
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Outcome_Other
subjects with first falls
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Outcome_Other
improvements in quadriceps strength
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Outcome_Other
body sway
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Outcome_Other
time needed to perform the TUG test
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Outcome_Other
number of falls
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Outcome_Other
muscle function
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Participant_Condition
community-dwelling
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Participant_Age
older individuals
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Participant_Sample-size
242
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Participant_Age
seniors
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Participant_Sex
women
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Participant_Sex
men
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Participant_Sample-size
242
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Participant_Age
mean [ +/- SD ] age , 77 +/- 4 years
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Participant_Condition
25-hydroxyvitamin