The incidence rate ratio of falls comparing the rate of falls between the two groups was estimated using negative binomial regression models.
4 We first calculated a rate ratio of falls (RaR1) by dividing the rate of injurious falls (injurious falls per person years) in the intervention group by the rate of injurious falls in the control group, using all available data.
In the same period, results from 3 meta-analyses demonstrate a significant reduction in the odd ratio of falls in individuals supplemented with vitamin D [ 64– 66]. Figure 2 shows the effects of vitamin D on muscle function, gait, and falls.
Moreover, the pooled effect of exercise on the rate ratio of falls was 0.68 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.77), which is similar to the effect of exercise reported in the Cochrane review.
Similarly, we constructed adjusted hazards ratio of falls and bone outcomes using time-dependent laxative use from all medication inventories collected during follow-up time [Additional file 1: Table S2].
A 2005 study of 625 independent and institutionalized older seniors (mean age 83 years) found that ergocalciferol (10,000 IU weekly then 1000 IU daily) and calcium carbonate 600 mg daily demonstrated an incident rate ratio of falling of 0.73 (95% CI 0.57 0.95) compared to placebo.
The effects of vitamin D monotherapy on falls was evaluated in a meta-analysis that found that vitamin D reduced the odds ratio of falling by 22% (corrected odds ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.64 0.092) compared with patients (mean age ranged from 70 to 85 years) receiving calcium or placebo.
We estimated a second rate ratio of falls for all participants randomised (RaR2) by using the conservative assumption that participants with missing data in the intervention group had the same rate of falls as observed in the control group (during their "lost" follow-up time) and vice versa.
Ratios of fall prevalence and incidence rates in men versus women were calculated from cohort studies reporting results for both men and women, thereby controlling for variability between studies.
We also extracted the definitions and methods used to collect falls and to classify fall related injuries, as well as the number, rate, or risk ratio of injurious falls and any available data on the nature of the injuries.
Most technical indicators, like the ratio of stocks falling to stocks rising, show the market is overdue for a sharp turn.
