Association Between Vitamin D Supplementation and Fall Prevention

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#accidental-falls #aged #calcium #dietary-supplements #humans

Association Between Vitamin D Supplementation and Fall Prevention

Wei et al., 2022 | Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wei Fei-Long, Li Tian, ... Qian Ji-Xian. Association Between Vitamin D Supplementation and Fall Prevention. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:919839. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.919839

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Falls occur frequently among older individuals, leading to high morbidity and mortality. This study was to assess the efficacy of vitamin D in preventing older individuals from falling. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases systematically using the keywords "vitamin D" and "fall" for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of vitamin D with or without calcium supplements with those of a placebo or no treatment on fall incidence in adults older than 50 years. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate risk ratios (RRs), absolute risk differences (ARDs) and 95% CIs with random-effects models. RESULTS: A total of 38 RCTs involving 61 350 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, high-dose vitamin D (≥ 700 IU) can prevent falls [RR, 0.87 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.96); ARD, -0.06 (95% CI, -0.10 to -0.02)]. Low-dose vitamin D (<700 IU) was not significantly associated with falls. Subgroup analysis showed that supplemental calcium, 25(OH) D concentration and frequency influenced the effect of vitamin D in preventing falls. Sensitivity analysis showed that vitamin D prevented falls, which was consistent with the primary analysis. In addition, the active form of vitamin D also prevented falls. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis of RCTs, doses of 700 IU to 2000 IU of supplemental vitamin D per day were associated with a lower risk of falling among ambulatory and institutionalized older adults. However, this conclusion should be cautiously interpreted, given the small differences in outcomes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42020179390.

Key Findings

A total of 38 RCTs involving 61 350 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, high-dose vitamin D (≥ 700 IU) can prevent falls [RR, 0.87 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.96); ARD, -0.06 (95% CI, -0.10 to -0.02)]. Low-dose vitamin D (<700 IU) was not significantly associated with falls. Subgroup analysis showed that supplemental calcium, 25(OH) D concentration and frequency influenced the effect of vitamin D in preventing falls. Sensitivity analysis showed that vitamin D prevented fa

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population older individuals
Sample Size 350
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Accidental Falls
  • Aged
  • Calcium
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Journal Article
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

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