Abstract
BackgroundThe effects of intermittent, high dose vitamin D treatment in older adults have not been documented. We conducted a meta-analysis to provide a quantitative assessment of the efficiency of intermittent, high dose vitamin D treatment on falls, fractures, and mortality among older adults.MethodsElectronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on high dose, intermittent vitamin D supplementation among older adults. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to specified inclusive and exclusive criteria to extract the data. Meta-analysis was performed by using Review Manager 5.1.0 software.ResultsNine trials were included in this meta-analysis. High dose, intermittent vitamin D therapy did not decrease all-cause mortality among older adults. The risk ratio (95% CI) was 1.04 (0.91–1.17). No benefit was seen in fracture or fall prevention. The risk ratio for hip fractures (95% CI) was 1.17 (0.97–1.41) while for non-vertebral fractures (95% CI) it was 1.06 (0.91–1.22), and the risk ratio for falls (95% CI) was 1.02 (0.96–1.08). Results remained robust after sensitivity analysis.ConclusionSupplementation of intermittent, high dose vitamin D may not be effective in preventing overall mortality, fractures, or falls among older adults. The route of administration of vitamin D supplements may well change the physiological effects.
Highlights
Vitamin D plays a key role in human biology [1], and the beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation have been documented
The risk ratio for hip fractures was 1.17 (0.97–1.41) while for non-vertebral fractures it was 1.06 (0.91– 1.22), and the risk ratio for falls was 1.02 (0.96–1.08)
A large number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have investigated the effects of vitamin D treatment on fractures and falls and suggest that vitamin D supplementation is effective in preventing fractures and falls among older adults [2,3,4,5,6,7]
Summary
Vitamin D plays a key role in human biology [1], and the beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation have been documented. A large number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have investigated the effects of vitamin D treatment on fractures and falls and suggest that vitamin D supplementation is effective in preventing fractures and falls among older adults [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Many researchers have focused on supplementing individuals with intermittent, high-dose vitamin D. A RCT suggested that supplementation with cholecalciferol 100,000 IU every four months may prevent fractures without adverse effects in older adults living in the general community [14]. The effects of intermittent, high dose vitamin D treatment in older adults have not been documented. We conducted a meta-analysis to provide a quantitative assessment of the efficiency of intermittent, high dose vitamin D treatment on falls, fractures, and mortality among older adults.
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