Two regimens , each represented by one large trial , which showed limited evidence of efficacy in reducing the incidence of hip or other appendicular skeleton fractures were : 1 ) Oral Vitamin D when accompanied by calcium supplementation .
2 ) 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D ( calcitriol ) .
This appeared more effective than calcium in a direct comparison .
Hypercalcaemia and gastro-intestinal symptoms , reported in less than 5 % of participants , were slightly more common when Vitamin D analogues were taken .
However , the risk of death was marginally less .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS Uncertainty remains about the efficacy of regimens which include Vitamin D or its analogues in fracture prevention .
Particularly if co-supplementation of calcium is required , significant cost differences are likely to exist between regimens .
BACKGROUND Due to their known effects on bone metabolism , Vitamin D and related compounds have been proposed for the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of supplementation with Vitamin D or a Vitamin D analogue in the prevention of fractures of the axial and appendicular skeleton in elderly men or women with involutional or post-menopausal osteoporosis .
Calcium and vitamin D supplements reduce tooth loss in the elderly.
PURPOSE Oral bone and tooth loss are correlated with bone loss at nonoral sites . Calcium and vitamin D supplementation slow the rate of bone loss from various skeletal sites , but it is not known if intake of these nutrients affects oral bone and , in turn , tooth retention . SUBJECTS AND METHODS Tooth loss was examined in 145 healthy subjects aged 65 years and older who completed a 3-year , r and omized , placebo-controlled trial of the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone loss from the hip , as well as a 2-year follow-up study after discontinuation of study supplements . Teeth were counted at 18 months and 5 years . A comprehensive oral examination at 5 years included assessment of caries , oral hygiene , and periodontal disease . The odds ratio ( OR ) and 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) of tooth loss were estimated by stepwise multivariate logistic regression . Initial age ( mean + /- SD ) of subjects was 71 + /- 5 years , and the number of teeth remaining was 22 + /- 7 . RESULTS During the r and omized trial , 11 of the 82 subjects ( 13 % ) taking supplements and 17 of the 63 subjects ( 27 % ) taking placebo  lost one or more teeth ( OR = 0.4 ; 95 % CI : 0.2 to 0.9 ) . During the 2-year follow-up period , 31 of the 77 subjects ( 40 % ) with total calcium intake of at least 1000 mg per day lost one or more teeth compared with 40 of the 68 subjects ( 59 % ) who consumed less ( OR = 0.5 ; 95 % CI : 0.2 to 0.9 ) . CONCLUSION These findings suggest that intake levels of calcium and vitamin D aim ed at preventing osteoporosis have a beneficial effect on tooth retention
Two regimens , each represented by one large trial , which showed limited evidence of efficacy in reducing the incidence of hip or other appendicular skeleton fractures were : 1 ) Oral Vitamin D when accompanied by calcium supplementation .
2 ) 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D ( calcitriol ) .
This appeared more effective than calcium in a direct comparison .
Hypercalcaemia and gastro-intestinal symptoms , reported in less than 5 % of participants , were slightly more common when Vitamin D analogues were taken .
However , the risk of death was marginally less .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS Uncertainty remains about the efficacy of regimens which include Vitamin D or its analogues in fracture prevention .
Particularly if co-supplementation of calcium is required , significant cost differences are likely to exist between regimens .
BACKGROUND Due to their known effects on bone metabolism , Vitamin D and related compounds have been proposed for the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of supplementation with Vitamin D or a Vitamin D analogue in the prevention of fractures of the axial and appendicular skeleton in elderly men or women with involutional or post-menopausal osteoporosis .