Evidence for the treatment of osteoporosis with vitamin D in residential care and in the community dwelling elderly

Vitamin D, respiratory infections, and chronic disease: Review of meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have suggested associations of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) with respiratory tract infections, impaired bone health, and myriad chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To assess potential causal relationships between vitamin D supplementation and a reduced risk of these conditions, a review of the evidence across available meta-analyses of randomized control trials (RCTs) and RCTs was performed.

METHOD

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from their inception to March 2021. We included only RCTs and meta-analyses of RCTs focusing on the association between vitamin D and respiratory disease, bone health, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus, and cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 107 RCTs and 62 meta-analysis of RCTs were included. Although most RCTs did not support benefits of vitamin D supplementation, suggestive evidence for benefit was found in populations at greater risk of VDD and for acute respiratory infections, fractures in institutionalized older adults, type 2 diabetes among patients with prediabetes, and cancer mortality. In contrast, no compelling evidence for benefit was found for other respiratory conditions, fractures in community-dwelling adults, falls, cancer incidence, or CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence from RCTs and meta-analyses of RCTs is inconsistent regarding the effects of vitamin D supplementation on respiratory infections and chronic diseases. Individuals most likely to benefit are those with baseline VDD or with selected high-risk conditions. Public health initiatives are needed to eliminate VDD globally, and future research will be enhanced by a 'precision prevention' approach to identify those most likely to benefit from vitamin D supplementation.

Molecular Signaling Pathways and Essential Metabolic Elements in Bone Remodeling: An Implication of Therapeutic Targets for Bone Diseases

Bone is one of the dynamic tissues in the human body that undergoes continuous remodelling through subsequent actions of bone cells, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts. Several signal transduction pathways are involved in the transition of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts. These primarily include Runx2, ATF4, Wnt signaling and sympathetic signalling. The differentiation of osteoclasts is controlled by M-CSF, RANKL, and costimulatory signalling. It is well known that bone remodelling is regulated through receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand followed by binding to RANK, which eventually induces the differentiation of osteoclasts. The resorbing osteoclasts secrete TRAP, cathepsin K, MMP-9 and gelatinase to digest the proteinaceous matrix of type I collagen and form a saucer-shaped lacuna along with resorption tunnels in the trabecular bone. Osteoblasts secrete a soluble decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin that prevents the binding of RANK/RANKL and thus moderating osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, bone homeostasis is also regulated by several growth factors like, cytokines, calciotropic hormones, parathyroid hormone and sex steroids. The current review presents a correlation of the probable molecular targets underlying the regulation of bone mass and the role of essential metabolic elements in bone remodelling. Targeting these signaling pathways may help to design newer therapies for treating bone diseases.

Vitamin D status among postmenopausal osteoporotic women: a hospital based cross-sectional study from Northern Sri Lanka

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is common among post-menopausal women and it is important to treat vitamin D deficiency to prevent falls and fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Few studies examined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in general population of Sri Lanka but no studies to date done among post-menopausal women with osteoporosis in Sri Lanka. This is the first study in Sri Lanka of such kind conducted to evaluate the serum vitamin D levels among postmenopausal women.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted at the Endocrine Unit, Teaching Hospital Jaffna from January to December 2018. During this period 105 postmenopausal women who registered for bone density assessment were recruited to the study. Data collection was done by investigators and blood sample was taken from each participant by registered nurses and total 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D level (25(OH)-Vit D) was measured by competitive immunoassay with enhanced chemiluminiscence technique, levels were categorized and analysis was done using SPSS 26.

Results

Mean age of 105 postmenopausal women was 67.7 with minimum 33 and maximum 84 years. Mean total 25(OH)-Vit D was 27.5 (range11.7–52.5 ng/mL). 25(OH)-Vit D levels were adequate in only 36.2% (95%CI: 27–45), 44% had insufficient levels and deficiency was present in 19% (95%CI: 12–27) of postmenopausal women. Among total study participants 20% were vegetarian, 53, 76.2 and 64.8% were consuming milk, fish and egg respectively and 71.4% reported adequate level of sun exposure (> 30 min/day). Commonly reported vitamin D deficiency symptoms include paraesthesia (57.1%), bone-pain (55.2%), easy fatigability (54.3%), malaise (51.4%), muscle cramps (43.8%) and proximal myopathy (40.0%). Nevertheless, comparison of musculoskeletal symptoms between group with sufficient level and group with insufficient and deficient level showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Among 71 participants (66.7%) who completed bone density assessment, 38% (95%CI: 27–49) showed osteoporosis. Vertebral Z score showed a significant correlation with 25(OH)-Vit D level (r-0.252, P-0.03).

Conclusion

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is relatively high among the post-menopausal women with a provisional diagnosis of osteoporosis. It is essential to consider vitamin D supplementation when initiating treatment for osteoporosis. Hence, Vitamin D testing is desirable in decision making to treat or not to treat.

Association Between Calcium or Vitamin D Supplementation and Fracture Incidence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

The increased social and economic burdens for osteoporosis-related fractures worldwide make the prevention of such injuries a major public health goal. Previous studies have reached mixed conclusions regarding the association between calcium, vitamin D, or combined calcium and vitamin D supplements and fracture incidence in older adults.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether calcium, vitamin D, or combined calcium and vitamin D supplements are associated with a lower fracture incidence in community-dwelling older adults.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed, Cochrane library, and EMBASE databases were systematically searched from the inception dates to December 24, 2016, using the keywords calcium, vitamin D, and fracture to identify systematic reviews or meta-analyses. The primary randomized clinical trials included in systematic reviews or meta-analyses were identified, and an additional search for recently published randomized trials was performed from July 16, 2012, to July 16, 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized clinical trials comparing calcium, vitamin D, or combined calcium and vitamin D supplements with a placebo or no treatment for fracture incidence in community-dwelling adults older than 50 years.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two independent reviewers performed the data extraction and assessed study quality. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate risk ratios (RRs), absolute risk differences (ARDs), and 95% CIs using random-effects models.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Hip fracture was defined as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were nonvertebral fracture, vertebral fracture, and total fracture.

RESULTS

A total of 33 randomized trials involving 51 145 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There was no significant association of calcium or vitamin D with risk of hip fracture compared with placebo or no treatment (calcium: RR, 1.53 [95% CI, 0.97 to 2.42]; ARD, 0.01 [95% CI, 0.00 to 0.01]; vitamin D: RR, 1.21 [95% CI, 0.99 to 1.47]; ARD, 0.00 [95% CI, -0.00 to 0.01]. There was no significant association of combined calcium and vitamin D with hip fracture compared with placebo or no treatment (RR, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.85 to 1.39]; ARD, 0.00 [95% CI, -0.00 to 0.00]). No significant associations were found between calcium, vitamin D, or combined calcium and vitamin D supplements and the incidence of nonvertebral, vertebral, or total fractures. Subgroup analyses showed that these results were generally consistent regardless of the calcium or vitamin D dose, sex, fracture history, dietary calcium intake, and baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, the use of supplements that included calcium, vitamin D, or both compared with placebo or no treatment was not associated with a lower risk of fractures among community-dwelling older adults. These findings do not support the routine use of these supplements in community-dwelling older people.

No evidence for an association of vitamin D deficiency and migraine: a systematic review of the literature

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a number of human disorders, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, frailty, and infections. Since an association between vitamin D and migraine has also been recently speculated, we performed an electronic search on Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science using the keywords "migraine" and "vitamin D," "25OH-D" "cholecalciferol," "ergocalciferol," with no language or date restriction. The electronic search allowed identifying seven studies (3 observational, 2 cross-sectional, and 2 case reports). The two case reports, including four women, showed favourable effects of vitamin D supplementation on migraine severity, but these studies were small and not placebo controlled. As regards the three observational studies, vitamin D deficiency was observed in 13.2 to 14.8% of migraine patients, and these rates do not differ from those reported in the general population (i.e., vitamin D deficiency between 22 and 42%). The results of the two cross-sectional studies are even more controversial, since no association was found between vitamin D status and migraine in both trials. In conclusion, the current evidence suggests that the association between migraine and vitamin D lacks reliable scientific support.