Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2008 May;19(5):663-71.
doi: 10.1007/s00198-007-0465-2. Epub 2007 Sep 14.

Efficacy of different doses and time intervals of oral vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium in elderly nursing home residents

V Chel  1 , H A H Wijnhoven, J H Smit, M Ooms, P Lips
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of different doses and time intervals of oral vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium in elderly nursing home residents

V Chel et al. Osteoporos Int. 2008 May.

Abstract

The effect of equivalent oral doses of vitamin D3 600 IU/day, 4200 IU/week and 18,000 IU/month on vitamin D status was compared in a randomized clinical trial in nursing home residents. A daily dose was more effective than a weekly dose, and a monthly dose was the least effective.

Introduction: It is assumed that equivalent daily, weekly or monthly doses of vitamin D3 equally influence vitamin D status. This was investigated in a randomized clinical trial in nursing home residents.

Methods: The study was performed in ten nursing homes including 338 subjects (76 male and 262 female), with a mean age of 84 (+/- SD 6.3 years). They received oral vitamin D3 either 600 IU/day, or 4200 IU/week, or 18,000 IU/month or placebo. After 4 months, calcium was added during 2 weeks, 320 mg/day or 640 mg/day or placebo.

Outcome: serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone turnover markers. Statistical approach: linear multilevel analysis.

Results: At baseline, mean serum 25(OH)D was 25.0 nmol/L (SD 10.9), and in 98%, it was lower than 50 nmol/L. After 4 months, mean serum 25(OH)D levels increased to 62.5 nmol/L (after daily vitamin D3 69.9 nmol/L, weekly 67.2 nmol/L and monthly 53.1 nmol/L, P < 0.001 between groups). Median serum PTH levels decreased by 23% (p < 0.001). Bone turnover markers did not decrease. Calcium supplementation had no effect on serum PTH and bone turnover.

Conclusion: Daily vitamin D was more effective than weekly, and monthly administration was the least effective.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of progress through the randomized clinical trial of vitamin D supplementation followed by the randomized clinical trial of calcium supplementation
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean (± 1.96 × SD) serum 25(OH)D concentrations at baseline, 2 and 4 months during treatment with vitamin D daily, weekly, or monthly, or placebo
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'DOI', 'value': '10.1016/S0140-6736(95)91266-5', 'is_inner': False, 'url': 'https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(95)91266-5'}, {'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '7616799', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7616799/'}]}
    2. Van der Wielen RPJ, Lowik MRH, van de Berg H, de Groot LCP, Haller J, Moreiras O, van Staveren WA (1995) Vitamin D concentrations among elderly people in Europe. Lancet 346:207–210 - PubMed
    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '3687818', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3687818/'}]}
    2. Lips P, Ginkel van FC, Jongen MJM, Rubertus F, Vijgh van der WJF, Netelenbos JC (1987) Determinants of vitamin D status in patients with hip fracture and in elderly control subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 46:1005–1010 - PubMed
    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '3417845', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3417845/'}]}
    2. Lips P, Wiersinga A, Ginkel van FC, Jongen MJM, Netelenbos JC, Hackeng WHL, Delmas PD, Vijgh van der WJF (1988) The effect of vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status and parathyroid function in elderly subjects. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 67:644–650 - PubMed
    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'DOI', 'value': '10.1210/er.22.4.477', 'is_inner': False, 'url': 'https://doi.org/10.1210/er.22.4.477'}, {'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '11493580', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11493580/'}]}
    2. Lips P (2001) Vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in the elderly: consequences for bone loss and fractures and therapeutic implications”. Endocrine Rev 22:477–501 - PubMed
    1. {'text': '', 'ref_index': 1, 'ids': [{'type': 'DOI', 'value': '10.1007/s001980200012', 'is_inner': False, 'url': 'https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980200012'}, {'type': 'PubMed', 'value': '11991436', 'is_inner': True, 'url': 'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11991436/'}]}
    2. Pfeifer M, Begerow B, Minne W (2002) Vitamin D and muscle function. Osteoporos Int 13:187–194 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms