The effect of calcium and vitamin D compounds on bone mineral density in patients undergoing glucocorticoid therapies: a network meta-analysis.

Alfacalcidol and calcitriol were the most efficacious treatment arms for increasing lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD, respectively. Our findings need to be validated by further investigations using larger, better-designed RCTs. Key Points •The efficacy of calcium/vitamin D compounds was examined using network meta-analyses. •Alfacalcidol + calcium yielded the greatest increase in lumbar spine BMD, calcitriol + calcium yielded the greatest increase in femoral neck BMD. •Future guidelines should place greater emphasis on the efficacy of different vitamin D compounds.