Tier 1 — highest

Annual high-dose oral vitamin D and falls and fractures in older women: a randomized controlled trial

Kerrie M Sanders, Amanda L Stuart, Elizabeth J Williamson, Julie A Simpson, Mark A Kotowicz, Doris Young, Geoffrey C Nicholson
JAMA 2010 303(18):1815-22

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 20460620
DOI
10.1001/jama.2010.594
Funding
Funding is not specified in the indexed abstract or accessible funding metadata. Consult the original publication for the declaration.
Competing interests
A competing-interest declaration is not available in the indexed abstract or accessible disclosure metadata.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized controlled clinical trial
ModelHuman participants
Sample2,256 community-dwelling women aged 70+ at elevated fracture risk
InterventionVitamin D3 500,000 IU once yearly or placebo
Duration3–5 years
EndpointsFalls; Radiologically confirmed fractures

What the study showed, in plain terms

This publication examines falls, radiologically confirmed fractures. Study population or evidence base: 2,256 community-dwelling women aged 70+ at elevated fracture risk. Intervention or exposure: Vitamin D3 500,000 IU once yearly or placebo.

Key findings

The very large annual dose increased falls and fractures, with a particularly strong fall signal soon after dosing.

What this study can and cannot tell us

This finding concerns an extreme annual bolus regimen. It should not be presented as evidence that ordinary daily deficiency treatment has the same effects.

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