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Calcium and vitamin D intake influence bone mass, but not short-term fracture risk, in Caucasian postmenopausal women from the National Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (NORA) study

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Abstract

Summary

The impact of calcium and vitamin D intake on bone density and one-year fracture risk was assessed in 76,507 postmenopausal Caucasian women. Adequate calcium with or without vitamin D significantly reduced the odds of osteoporosis but not the risk of fracture in these Caucasian women.

Introduction

Calcium and vitamin D intake may be important for bone health; however, studies have produced mixed results.

Methods

The impact of calcium and vitamin D intake on bone mineral density (BMD) and one-year fracture incidence was assessed in 76,507 postmenopausal Caucasian women who completed a dietary questionnaire that included childhood, adult, and current consumption of dairy products. Current vitamin D intake was calculated from milk, fish, supplements and sunlight exposure. BMD was measured at the forearm, finger or heel. Approximately 3 years later, 36,209 participants returned a questionnaire about new fractures. The impact of calcium and vitamin D on risk of osteoporosis and fracture was evaluated by logistic regression adjusted for multiple covariates.

Results

Higher lifetime calcium intake was associated with reduced odds of osteoporosis (peripheral BMD T-score ≤−2.5; OR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.72, 0.88), as was a higher current calcium (OR = 0.75; (0.68, 0.82)) or vitamin D intake (OR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.0.66, 0.81). Women reported 2,205 new osteoporosis-related fractures. The 3-year risk of any fracture combined or separately was not associated with intake of calcium or vitamin D.

Conclusions

Thus, higher calcium and vitamin D intakes significantly reduced the odds of osteoporosis but not the 3-year risk of fracture in these Caucasian women.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Research Center, Helen Hayes Hospital, Route 9W, West Haverstraw, NY, 10993, USA

    J. W. Nieves & M. Zion

  2. Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    J. W. Nieves & E. S. Siris

  3. University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    E. Barrett-Connor

  4. Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA, USA

    S. Barlas & Y. T. Chen

Authors
  1. J. W. Nieves
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  2. E. Barrett-Connor
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  3. E. S. Siris
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  4. M. Zion
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  5. S. Barlas
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  6. Y. T. Chen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. W. Nieves.

Additional information

Sources of support: This work was supported by grant AG1406701 from the National Institute on Aging. The National Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (NORA) was funded and managed by Merck & Co Inc.

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Nieves, J.W., Barrett-Connor, E., Siris, E.S. et al. Calcium and vitamin D intake influence bone mass, but not short-term fracture risk, in Caucasian postmenopausal women from the National Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (NORA) study. Osteoporos Int 19, 673–679 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0501-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0501-2

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