71EFFECT OF ORAL VITAMIN K2 SUPPLEMENTATION ON POSTURAL SWAY AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN OLDER PEOPLE WITH A HISTORY OF FALLS: A PILOT RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin K plays a role in bone health and maintenance of neuromuscular function, but vitamin K intake is low for many older people. We conducted a pilot trial of vitamin K2 supplementation to test recruitment, retention and effect on postural sway, a marker of falls risk, in older people at risk of falls. Methods: Parallel group, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. Participants aged 65 and over with two or more falls in the last year were recruited via primary care and assessed at three centres in Scotland. Participants were randomised to receive once daily placebo, 200 mcg or 400 mcg oral vitamin K2 for one year. Outcomes were measured at baseline, six and twelve months. The primary outcome was anteroposterior sway measured using a sway plate at 12 months, compared between groups using ANOVA adjusted for baseline. Secondary outcomes included falls, short physical performance battery, Berg balance scale, timed up and go test, quality of life (EQ5D). Results: 95 participants were randomised, mean age 75 (SD 7) years. 58/95 (61%) were female, with a median of 3 (IQR 2 to 6) falls in the last 12 months. Mean recruitment rate was 3 per centre per month and 77/95 (81%) attended the 12 month follow up visit. Vitamin K2 supplementation did not improve anteroposterior sway (200 mcg vs placebo: ‐0.19 cm [95%CI ‐0.68 to 0.30, p = 0.44]; 400 mcg vs placebo: 0.17 cm [95%CI ‐0.33 to 0.66, p = 0.50]; 400 mcg vs 200 mcg: 0.36 cm [‐0.11 to 0.83, p = 0.14]). Adjusted falls rates were similar in each group ‐ placebo: 11.5/1000 days, 200 mcg 15.0/1000 days, 400 mcg 10.6/1000 days. No significant treatment effects were seen for other secondary outcomes. Conclusion: Recruitment and retention were acceptable in this pilot trial, but oral vitamin K2 supplementation did not improve postural sway or physical function in older people at risk of falls.