Effects of dietary calcium supplementation on blood pressure. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
To review the effect of supplemental calcium on blood pressure.


METHODS
We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for 1996 to May 1994. We contacted authors of eligible trials to ensure accuracy and completeness of data and to identify unpublished trials.


METHODS
We included any study in which investigators randomized people to calcium supplementation or placebo and measured blood pressure for at least 2 weeks. Fifty-six articles met the inclusion criteria, and 33 were eligible for analysis, involving a total of 2412 patients.


METHODS
Two pairs of independent reviewers abstracted data and assessed validity according to six quality criteria.


RESULTS
We calculated the differences in blood pressure change between the calcium supplementation group and the control group and pooled the estimates, with each trial weighted with the inverse of the variance using a random-effects model. Predictors of blood pressure reduction that we examined included method of supplementation, baseline blood pressure, and the methodological quality of the studies. The pooled analysis showed a reduction in systolic blood pressure of -1.27 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.25 to -0.29 mm Hg; P=.01) and in diastolic blood pressure of -0.24 mm Hg (95% CI, -0.92 to 0.44 mm Hg; P=.49). None of the possible mediators of blood pressure reduction explained differences in treatment effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcium supplementation may lead to a small reduction in systolic but not diastolic blood pressure. The results do not exclude a larger, important effect of calcium on blood pressure in subpopulations. In particular, further studies should address the hypothesis that inadequate calcium intake is associated with increased blood pressure that can be corrected with calcium supplementation.
Bucher
H C
HC
Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University Medical Center, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Cook
R J
RJ
Guyatt
G H
GH
Lang
J D
JD
Cook
D J
DJ
Hatala
R
R
Hunt
D L
DL
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000494:pharmacology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D002119:Calcium Carbonate