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Vitamin D supplementation to prevent falls in the elderly: evidence and practical considerations
Susan M Fosnight1, William J Zafirau, Susan E Hazelett
1Department of Pharmacy, Summa Health System, Akron, Ohio; and the Northeastern Ohio College of Pharmacy, Rootstown, OH 44304, USA. fosnighs@summa-health.org
Abstract:
Pharmacists in both ambulatory and institutional settings are often in a position to help optimize the drug regimens of patients who are experiencing falls. Supplementation with vitamin D is an important emerging therapy for the prevention of falls. Numerous investigators have recently studied or reviewed the association between vitamin D supplementation and decreased risk of falls in elderly patients, yet little of this information is available in the pharmacy literature. A MEDLINE search was conducted to collect relevant articles about the role of vitamin D in preventing falls among elderly patients; recently published meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials were identified and reviewed. The studies indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between vitamin D supplementation with either cholecalciferol 700 IU/day or greater or ergocalciferol 800 IU/day or greater and decreased risk of falls. Other practical issues, including who should receive vitamin D replacement, what form of vitamin D should be used, and what dosage is required to prevent falls, are discussed.
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