Vitamin D in Falls and Fractures for Women Aged 50 and Older

Authors

Nicole Mason, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Family Medicine

Advisor

Elyse Watkins

Abstract

This article will review recommendations for appropriate vitamin D levels and will present a summary of fall and fracture outcomes for older women.A PubMed and Medline literature search was conducted with search terms: women, vitamin D, falls, and fracture. Ninety-eight pertinent articles were retrieved for the foundation of this clinical review.Current daily recommendations will generally achieve the modest recommendations for vitamin D levels; however, intermittent dosing regimens will also reach these recommended levels. The literature is equivocal as to whether intermittent vitamin D levels for post-menopausal women will decrease falls and fractures.Vitamin D is well established in its role of bone formation and calcium resorption. Recommendations for minimal levels of vitamin D to maintain optimal bone mass are established. Maintenance doses are established but contested. Optimal loading dosing regimens are not. Furthermore, assessment of vitamin D and its impact on falls and fractures is not well established. Further research is needed to establish optimal loading dose regimens, as well as vitamin D’s long-term effects on falls and fractures.

Recommended Citation

Mason N. Vitamin D in Falls and Fractures for Women Aged 50 and Older. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2020; 2(1).