Calcium and vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women

Evaluation of: Jackson RD, LaCroix AZ, Gass M et al.: Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of fractures. N. Engl. J. Med. 352, 669–683 (2006) [1]. This randomized, controlled trial compared the use of 1000 mg of elemental calcium with 400 international units of vitamin D3 daily versus placebo in postmenopausal women aged 50–79 years enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative trial. The follow-up period averaged approximately 7 years. In the active-treatment group, there was a small but statistically significant increase in hip-bone density, but no reduction in the overall rate of hip fracture (primary outcome) compared with the placebo group. Calcium and vitamin D3 appeared to be well tolerated, but there was an increased risk of kidney stones in women receiving treatment.