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Vitamin D Supplementation to Prevent Falls in the Elderly: Evidence and Practical Considerations
Author(s) -
Fosnight Susan M.,
Zafirau William J.,
Hazelett Susan E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.28.2.225
Subject(s) - medicine , vitamin d and neurology , ergocalciferol , cholecalciferol , ambulatory , randomized controlled trial , pharmacy , vitamin , vitamin d deficiency , medline , intensive care medicine , gerontology , family medicine , political science , law
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.