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 .
Vitamin D-Fortified Liquid Milk: Benefits for the Elderly Community-Based Population
Abstract . To assess the efficacy and acceptability of vitamin D-fortified liquid milk in the management of hypovitaminosis D we carried out a double-blind , r and omized , controlled trial on 51 community-based , elderly subjects with serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D ( 25OHD ) levels of less than 12.9 ng/ml ( normal range 10–80 ng/ml ) . Each subject had a dietary assessment , mental test score , outdoor score , serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D level , and a general biochemical screening at baseline in April 1993 which was repeated in September 1993 , April 1994 , and September 1994 . All subjects received 500 ml of milk per day , delivered to their homes in specially manufactured , blank , tetrapak cartons , from June 1993 to June 1994 : 23 subjects received unfortified milk ( control group ) and 28 subjects received fortified milk ( active group ) . Our results showed a baseline mean 25OHD level in the active group of 9.6 ( range < 5.5–12.7 ) ng/ml and in the control group of 10.0 ( range < 5.5–12.9 ) ng/ml ( P < 0.4 ) . One year later the mean 25OHD level in the active group had risen significantly from its baseline to 18.5 ( range 9.6–26.7 ) ng/ml ( P < 0.001 ) and was significantly different from the control group with a 1-year mean of 12.7 ( range < 4–24.1 ) ng/ml ( P < 0.001 ) . Serum calcium levels in the active group also showed a significant rise over the 1-year period ( P < 0.001 ) whereas those in the control group did not . We conclude that vitamin D-fortified liquid milk is a safe , effective , and acceptable method of administering vitamin D to the elderly , community-based population
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 .