title: Effect of isolated vitamin D supplementation on the rate of falls and postural balance in postmenopausal women fallers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of isolated vitamin D supplementation (VITD) on the rate of falls and postural balance in postmenopausal women fallers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 160 Brazilian younger postmenopausal women were randomized into two groups: VITD group, vitamin D3 supplementation 1,000 IU/day/orally (n = 80) and placebo group (n = 80). Women with amenorrhea at least 12 months, age 50 to 65 years, and a history of falls (previous 12 months) were included. Those with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, vestibulopathies, drugs use that could affect balance and osteoporosis were excluded. The intervention time was 9 months. Postural balance was assessed by stabilometry (computerized force platform) and investigation on the occurrence/recurrence of falls was performed by interviews. The plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical analysis was achieved by intention-to-treat, using analysis of variance, Student's t test, Tukey test, chi-square, and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 9 months, mean values of 25(OH)D increased from 15.0 ± 7.5 ng/mL to 27.5 ± 10.4 ng/mL (+45.4%) in the VITD group, and decreased from 16.9 ± 6.7 ng/mL to 13.8 ± 6.0 ng/mL (-18.5%) in the placebo group (P < 0.001). The occurrence of falls was higher in the placebo group (+46.3%) with an adjusted risk of 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-3.08) times more likely to fall and 2.80 (95% CI 1.43-5.50) times higher for recurrent falls compared to the VITD group (P < 0.001). There was reduction in body sway by stabilometry, with lower amplitude of antero-posterior (-35.5%) and latero-lateral (-37.0%) oscillation, only in the VITD group (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Brazilian postmenopausal women fallers, isolated vitamin D supplementation for 9 months resulted in a lower incidence of falls and improvement in postural balance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Mendes
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Cangussu
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nahas-Neto
authors.forename: Claudio Lera
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Orsatti
authors.forename: Priscila Ferreira
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Poloni
authors.forename: Eneida Boteon
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Benedito
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Almeida-Filho
authors.forename: Eliana Aguiar Petri
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nahas
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal; D017698:Postmenopause; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D002112:Calcifediol