Association of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements with Fractures in Persons with a Traumatic SCI.

Background: Osteoporotic fractures occur in almost half of patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and are associated with significant morbidity and excess mortality. Paralyzed Veterans Administration (PVA) guidelines suggest that adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is important for skeletal health, however, the association of these supplements with osteoporotic fracture risk is unclear.

Objectives: To determine the association of filled prescriptions for calcium and vitamin D with fracture risk in Veterans with an SCI.