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Effect of vitamin K on bone mineral density: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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Abstract

A number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the role of vitamin K on bone mineral density (BMD) have yielded inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis of these trials to assess the effect of vitamin K on BMD. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL for relevant studies of RCTs examining the role of vitamin K on BMD. Data on participants, interventions, and outcomes were extracted and the quality of all included trials assessed. Primary outcomes for analysis were absolute changes in BMD (mg/cm2) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Relative changes (percentage change) in BMD at the lumbar spine were also assessed. Vitamin K supplementation was shown to be efficacious in increasing BMD at the lumbar spine but not the femoral neck. The weighted mean difference (WMD) in BMD absolute change was 21.60 mg/cm2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.63, 39.56] at the lumbar spine and 0.25 mg/cm2 (95% CI −2.64, 3.14) at the femoral neck. The WMD in BMD relative change was 1.27% (95% CI 0.47, 2.06) at the lumbar spine and 0.17 (95% CI −0.21, 0.54) at the femoral neck. Subgroup analysis revealed that ethnic difference, gender, and vitamin K type were associated with variable effects on BMD at the lumbar spine. The modest overall treatment effects for vitamin K on BMD observed in this review may be biased and should be interpreted with caution. Further studies are required to address factors relating to the observed effects of vitamin K on BMD.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Yan Wang for her assistance with the design and implementation of search strategy for this protocol, and Meiyun Guan for statistical advice.

Conflict of interest

There are no identified conflicts of interest with any of the authors.

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  1. School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Mei Shan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Yanfu Fang, Chuanlai Hu, Xingyong Tao, Yuhui Wan & Fangbiao Tao

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Correspondence to Chuanlai Hu.

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Fang, Y., Hu, C., Tao, X. et al. Effect of vitamin K on bone mineral density: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Bone Miner Metab 30, 60–68 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-011-0287-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-011-0287-3

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