Higher Doses Vitamin D Associated with Increased Risk of Falls in 70+

Higher Doses Vitamin D Associated with Increased Risk of Falls in 70+ Higher monthly doses of vitamin D were associated had no benefit on low extremity function but did increase the risk of falls in patients 70 or older, according to an article published by JAMA Internal Medicine. Lower extremity function that is impaired is a major risk factor for falls, injuries and a loss of autonomy. Vitamin D supplementation has been proposed as a possible preventive strategy to delay decline. Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari, M.D., Dr.P.H., of the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, and coauthors conducted a one-year, randomized clinical trial that include 200 men and women 70 or older with a prior fall. The authors report:

  • Of the 200 participants, 58 percent were vitamin D deficient at the start
  • Of the 200 participants, 60.5 percent (121 of 200) fell during the 12-month treatment period

Compared with a monthly standard-of-care dose of 24,000 IU of vitamin D3, two monthly higher doses of vitamin D conferred no benefit on the prevention of functional decline and increased falls in seniors 70 years and older. The study concludes that high monthly doses may not be warranted in seniors with a prior fall.