An Age-Related Decrease in Creatinine Clearance Is Associated with an Increase in Number of Falls in Untreated Women But Not in Women Receiving Calcitriol Treatment

Abstract

Context: Decreased calcitriol production due to impaired renal function may be a significant risk factor for falls in normal aging population. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the association between creatinine clearance (CrCl) and the incidence of falls and fallers in groups treated with placebo, calcitriol, estrogen therapy (ET)/estrogen + progestin therapy (HT), and calcitriol + ET/HT. Design: This was a 3-yr, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to test the efficacy of calcitriol and ET/HT on bone loss and falls with analysis by intention to treat and post hoc. Setting: The study was conducted at an academic outpatient center. Participants: Four hundred eighty-nine normal elderly women aged 65–77 yr; 415 women completed the study. Intervention: Subjects were randomized to placebo, calcitriol 0.25 μg twice a day, ET daily (conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg), HT (conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg + medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg) and calcitriol + ET/HT. Main Outcome Measures: Cumulative number of falls and fallers were compared between groups with 24-h urine CrCl less than 60 and 60 ml/min or greater. Results: Calcitriol treatment decreased the number of fallers and falls. Low CrCl less than 60 ml/min was a predictor of the number of falls per person but not fallers in the placebo group (P = 0.007). In the low CrCl group (P = 0.003], calcitriol + ET/HT by 61% (95% CI −76% to −37%; P = 0.001), and ET/HT by 25% (95% CI: −55% to +24%; not significant). Calcitriol reduced the rate of falls by 30% (95% CI −49% to −4%; P = 0.027) in the CrCl 60 ml/min or greater group. Conclusion: Calcitriol treatment decreases falls in all subjects but especially in elderly women with decreased renal function (<60 ml/min) and frequent fallers.