Should Vitamin D Administration for Fracture Prevention Be Continued? : A discussion of Recent Meta-analysis Findings

In consideration and critical review of four recent meta-analyses on vitamin D and fracture prevention, vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium is supported among older adults age 65 years and older at risk of vitamin D deficiency and fractures if given in daily or equivalent weekly or monthly doses of 800 to 1000 IU and with good adherence. Vitamin D supplementation might not be effective in primary prevention among adults age 50 years and older without vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis; however, clinical trials on primary prevention are limited. Notably, large annual bolus administration of vitamin D is detrimental with regard to falls and fractures among older adults at risk of fractures and should not be continued in clinical care. Larger monthly doses of 100,000 IU need further evaluation with respect to efficacy and safety.