A systematic review and meta-analysis of vitamin D and calcium in preventing osteoporotic fractures

Eleni et al., 2020 | Clin Rheumatol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Eleni Albani, Panagiotis Petrou. A systematic review and meta-analysis of vitamin D and calcium in preventing osteoporotic fractures. Clin Rheumatol. 2020-Dec;39(12):3571-3579. doi:10.1007/s10067-020-05122-3

Abstract

To assess and update the effect of the combination of vitamin D and calcium in the reduction of osteoporotic fractures, a systematic review across Cochrane Database, NIHR HTA database, PubMed and Google Scholar was performed using mesh terms : Cohort studies OR Prospective Studies OR Longitudinal Studies OR Follow-Up Studies OR Incidence OR Risk OR Rate and Osteoporotic Fractures OR Fractures, Bone OR Fractures, Spontaneous OR Spinal Fractures OR Humeral Fractures OR Hip Fractures OR Femoral Neck Fractures AND Vitamin D AND Calcium and key words: vitamin D, fractures, osteoporosis, calcium, dietary supplements. Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manager (RevMan 5.3) using relative risk and confidence interval 95%. The combination reduced total fractures and hip fractures while no effect was observed in wrist fractures. The combination was also well tolerated. Only minor side effects were reported. This systematic review suggests that the combination of vitamin D and calcium can exert a beneficial effect towards osteoporotic fracture reduction.

Key Findings

This systematic review suggests that the combination of vitamin D and calcium can exert a beneficial effect towards osteoporotic fracture reduction.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Calcium
  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Osteoporotic Fractures
  • Prospective Studies
  • Vitamin D

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09