Randomized Controlled Trial of Calcium in Healthy Older Women

Subject disposition.

Effects of calcium supplementation on changes in bone mineral density over 5 years. Data are mean±standard error of mean (SEM), and based on the intention-to-treat cohort. Treatment effects were significant at each site (P < .0001).

Effects of calcium supplementation on changes in bone mineral density over 5 years. Data are mean±SEM, and based on the per-protocol cohort. Treatment effects were significant at each site (P < .0001).

Cumulative fracture incidence over time (Kaplan-Meier plots) in the intention-to-treat population. Significance of effects is shown in Table 2.

Cumulative fracture incidence over time (Kaplan-Meier plots) in the per-protocol population with medication compliance greater than 60%. Significance of effects is shown in Table 2.

Effects of calcium supplementation on changes in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity from baseline to 5 years (upper). Values were comparable in the groups at baseline (85±20 in each group) but decreased more in the calcium group (P <.0001). Data are mean±SEM. Procollagen type-I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) levels at 5 years in 40 subjects from each group (lower). Values are significantly lower in the calcium group.