Review: calcium supplementation has a small positive effect on bone mineral density but not fractures in postmenopausal women

Cummings, Steven MD, FACP (commentator)
Sellmeyer, Deborah MD (commentator)

¹California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
²University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California, USA

Shea B, Wells G, Cranney A, et al. Calcium supplementation on bone loss in postmenopausal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(1):CD004526.Q In postmenopausal women, what is the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures?

For correspondence: Ms B Shea, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. [email protected]

Source of funding: not stated.

Evidence Based Medicine 9(6):p 170, November-December 2004.

Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★☆☆ IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★☆☆ Geriatrics ★★★★★★☆ Rheumatology ★★★★★★☆