[Expectations of benefit/risk of calcium intake in women with osteoporosis treatment of Asturias; ASFARCAL study].

Introduction: The use of calcium supplements seems as inevitable concomitant of women undergoing specific treatments to prevent bone problems, although there is controversy on the benefit/risk.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to women who flocked to withdraw their osteoporosis drugs in pharmacy, for the amount of calcium ingested from diet and supplements. Further analysis to explore the factors associated with adequate intake and other analysis of sensitivity benefit/risk considering many recommended amounts of calcium for the number needed to treat (NNT) and number needed to harm (NNH) with the use of supplements, taking into account the scientific controversies about its safety and treatment with thiazides.

Results: The amounts of calcium intake considered adequate is related to dairy intake as a dichotomous variable (yes/no). Not found a clear situation of lack of calcium intake in women of study, representatives of an entire autonomous community in Spain, contrary to what is described in other studies using non-Spanish regarding intake. The use of supplements only provides a benefit/risk ratio in women who do not drink milk daily.