Calcium and vitamin D intake by postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in France.

AbstractObjective:To assess dietary calcium and vitamin D intake and their relationship with prescription medication and nutritional supplement use among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in France.Research design and methods:Telephone interviews were conducted with 207 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis referred by a random sample of physicians from a French national list. Based on a French food frequency questionnaire, patients reported their daily food intake and frequency as well as their use of prescription medications and nutritional supplements.Results:Average daily dietary vitamin D intake was only 144.8IU (SD 84.6, p<0.01 compared to the recommended 800IU), with 30 of the sample taking a vitamin D supplement. No participant had more than 500IU vitamin D daily from food alone and 78 had less than 200IU per day. A total of 51 of patients took no vitamin D supplements and had less than 5 hours of sun exposure in a week. Patients who were receiving osteoporosis medications and those who were not had comparable vitamin D intake. The average daily dietary calcium intake was 966.4mg (SD 273.7, p<0.01 compared to the 800mg recommended). Calcium supplements were taken by 38 of participants and older patients tended to take more. Limitations of the study include convenience sampling and patient self-report.Conclusions:Daily vitamin D intake among this sample of postmenopausal osteoporotic women in France was significantly lower than recommended dosages. At least 50 of these patients might benefit by adding vitamin D to their current therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]