Summary

During the last ten years several randomised, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trials have documented that a supplementation with vitaminD (800–1200 I.U. per day) together with a total intake of 800–1200 mg calcium per day may reduce the risk of falls and fall-related fractures in the elderly. This is especially the case in elderly women 65years of age or older with a serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 level below 50 nmol/l. Based on the results of a recently published meta-analysis involving more than 10,000 participants the grade of evidence according to the Oxford centre of evidence-based medicine is Ia with respect to the primary prevention of falls and nonvertebral fractures in the elderly population. Future developments may include higher vitamin D recommendations (up to 2,000 I.U.).