Effect of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements on Mortality

The post hoc analysis of postintervention follow-up of calcium and vitamin D (CaD) supplements suggested reduced cancer mortality and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. The multicenter trial across the US included 36 282 postmenopausal women randomized 1:1 to 1000 mg of calcium carbonate (400 mg of elemental calcium) with 400 IU of vitamin D₃ daily or placebo for 7 years. For women assigned to CaD vs placebo, a 7% reduction in cancer mortality was observed with a median cumulative follow-up of 22.3 years (1817 vs. 1943 deaths; hazard ratio [HR], 0.93), along with a 6% increase in CVD mortality (2621 vs. 2420 deaths; HR, 1.06). There was no effect on all-cause mortality (7834 vs. 7748 deaths; HR, 1.00). Estimates for cancer incidence varied widely when stratified by whether participants reported supplement use before randomization, whereas estimates on mortality did not vary, except for CVD mortality. The findings provide evidence of long-term effects of CaD supplementation on mortality in postmenopausal women. Source: https://www.acpjournals.org/