Tier 1 — highest

Vitamin D supplementation and risk of falling: outcomes from the randomized, placebo-controlled D-Health Trial

Mary Waterhouse, Emma Sanguineti, Catherine Baxter, Briony Duarte Romero, Donald S A McLeod, Dallas R English, Bruce K Armstrong, Peter R Ebeling, Gunter Hartel, Michael G Kimlin, Rachel L O'Connell, Hai Pham, Jolieke C van der Pols, Alison J Venn, Penelope M Webb, David C Whiteman, Rachel E Neale
Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle 2021 12(6):1428-1439

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 34337905
PubMed Central
PMC8718069
DOI
10.1002/jcsm.12759
Funding
Support is recorded from Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. See the original publication for grant and material-support details.
Competing interests
The authors report no relevant competing interests.

Study snapshot

DesignPrespecified falls analysis of the randomized D-Health trial
ModelHuman participants
Sample15,416 in the survey analysis and 2,200 in the falls-diary analysis
InterventionVitamin D3 60,000 IU monthly or placebo
DurationMean treatment duration 4.3 years
EndpointsRisk of falling; Fall frequency; Safety outcomes

What the study showed, in plain terms

This publication examines risk of falling, fall frequency, safety outcomes. Study population or evidence base: 15,416 in the survey analysis and 2,200 in the falls-diary analysis. Intervention or exposure: Vitamin D3 60,000 IU monthly or placebo.

Key findings

Monthly vitamin D did not reduce falls overall. A normal-BMI subgroup showed a possible increase in falls that warrants further evaluation.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Falls were measured through surveys and a smaller diary sample. The BMI finding is a subgroup result rather than proof of harm in all users.

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