To the Editor: We read with interest the recent editorial by Nordin,1 which makes several imprecise observations on our recent position statement in the Journal.2 Here, we analyse some of his statements, as we believe that they are misleading to your readers and hazardous to institutionalised older persons.
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- 1. Nordin BEC. In defence of calcium [editorial]. Med J Aust 2011; 194: 3-4. <MJA full text>
- 2. Duque G, Close JJ, de Jager JP, et al. Treatment for osteoporosis in Australian residential aged care facilities: consensus recommendations for fracture prevention. Med J Aust 2010; 193: 173-179. <MJA full text>
- 3. Duque G, Mallet L, Roberts A, et al. To treat or not to treat, that is the question: proceedings of the Quebec Symposium for the Treatment of Osteoporosis in Long-Term Care Institutions, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, November 5, 2004. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2006; 7: 435-441.
- 4. Pentti K, Tuppurainen MT, Honkanen R, et al. Use of calcium supplements and the risk of coronary heart disease in 52–62-year-old women: the Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention Study. Maturitas 2009; 63: 73-78.
- 5. Bolland MJ, Avenell A, Baron JA, et al. Effect of calcium supplements on risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events: meta-analysis. BMJ 2010; 341: c3691.
- 6. Bolland MJ, Grey A, Gamble GD, Reid IR. Risk of cardiovascular events with calcium/vitamin D — a re-analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative. J Bone Miner Res 2010; 25 Suppl 1: S50.
- 7. Cameron ID, Chen JS, March LM, et al. Hip fracture causes excess mortality owing to cardiovascular and infectious disease in institutionalized older people: a prospective 5-year study. J Bone Miner Res 2010; 25: 866-872.
- 8. American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Statement on potential cardiovascular risks associated with calcium supplements. http://www.asbmr.org/asset.axd?id=22d4b3e6-c4c0-4a00-924e-ca11d5ba7ff5&t=634178224045100000 (accessed Feb 2011).
- 9. Chapuy MC, Arlot ME, Duboeuf F, et al. Vitamin D3 and calcium to prevent hip fractures in the elderly women. N Engl J Med 1992; 327: 1637-1642.
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Competing interests relevant to this letter are declared in the original position statement.2 In addition, Gustavo Duque has received honoraria from Servier, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis; payment for development of educational presentations from Servier; and support for travel and accommodation from Sanofi-Aventis. His employing institution has received a research grant from Merck. Charles Inderjeeth has received payment for board membership from Amgen, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis; payment for consultancy from Sanofi-Aventis and Novartis; honoraria from Sanofi-Aventis, Servier and Novartis; payment for development of educational presentations from Sanofi-Aventis and Novartis; and support for travel and accommodation from Sanofi-Aventis and Novartis. His employing institution has received grants from Sanofi-Aventis, Servier and Merck Sharpe and Dohme.