Figure 14.
The effect of vitamin D supplements on the odds of falling at least once or twice.
For age, recruitment target range is presented, unless otherwise stated. Mean baseline S‐25(OH)D concentrations were classified as follows, unless otherwise stated: < 25 nmol/L, 25–49 nmol/L, 50–74 nmol/L, ≥ 75 nmol/L. ‘Fallers’ indicate the number of participants who encountered one fracture or more. ‘Note’ indicates the effect size included in the forest plot. Pre‐calculated effect sizes were used if available without performing conversions; please note that effect sizes can be therefore different from the one expressed in the plot title. ‘Note2’ indicates the adjusted effect size, if reported in the publication, or further information on the outcome. Abbreviations: AT, Austria; AU, Australia; aOR, adjusted odds ratio; BEST‐D: Biochemical Efficacy and Safety Trial of vitamin D; CA, Canada; CH, Switzerland; CI, confidence interval; DE, Germany; DEX; Vitamin D and Exercise in Falls Prevention; DO‐HEALTH: Vitamin D3 ‐ Omega3 ‐ Home Exercise ‐ Healthy Aging and Longevity Trial; EX, exercise program; F, females; FA, fatty acids; FI, Finland; FR, France; HR, hazard ratio; M, males; NR, not reported; OR, odds ratio; PT, Portugal; RECORD, Randomised Evaluation of Calcium Or vitamin D; RoB, risk of bias; S‐25(OH)D, serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D; STURDY, Study to Understand Fall Reduction and Vitamin D in You; UK, United Kingdom; US, United States; ViDOS, Vitamin D supplementation in Older Women. Note: Flicker et al. (2005) started with 250 μg/week [= 36 μg/day], but due to the discontinuation of the preparation of commercial 250 μg‐tablets during the intervention, they switched to 25 μg‐tablets. Hin et al. (2016) and Smith et al. (2017) combined the results of the groups treated with higher vitamin D3 doses. Uusi‐Rasi et al. (2015) did not report raw data, i.e., the number of fallers. Bischoff‐Ferrari et al. (2022) adjusted for study site, sex, age, previous fall, baseline BMI, and baseline use of walking aids. Prince et al. (2008) adjusted for baseline height as difference was observed between groups. *Effect size was computed based on the reported case numbers because pre‐calculated effect sizes were not available.