title: [The role of vitamin D in the treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly].
abstract: During the last 5 years several randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trials have documented that a supplementation with vitamin D (400-1,200 IU per day) together with calcium (800-1,500 mg per day) may reduce the risk of falls and fall-related fractures in the elderly. This is especially the case in elderly women >or= 65 years of age with a serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D(3) level < 50 nmol/l. Based on the results of a recently published meta-analysis involving more than 10,000 participants, the grade of evidence according to the Oxford Centre of Evidence-based Medicine is Ia with respect to the primary prevention of falls in the elderly population.
authors.affiliation: Institut für klinische Osteologie Gustav Pommer, Am Hylligen Born 7, 31812, Bad Pyrmont, Germany. iko_pyrmont@t-online.de
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
authors.forename: Helmut W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Minne
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium