Suplementação de cálcio e doença cardiovascular: um estudo na cidade de Santa Maria

Abstract

There is no consensus about calcium supplementation in postmenopausal women and its effects on the cardiovascular risk. Studies carried out in different populations have shown divergent results. Despite the fact that the Brazilian population has low calcium intake, the cardiovascular risk in subjects taking calcium is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between calcium supplementation and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women attending the primary care in Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the municipality of Santa at Santa Maria (parallel 29o South), Brazil from 1 March to 31 August 2013. Post-menopausal women aged 55 years or older who had at least one appointment at their GP practice in the two years prior the study were recruited from March 1st to August 31st, 2013. Women with cognitive impairment were excluded. The subjects were questioned about the calcium supplement, comorbidities, and CVD. Generalized linear regression models were performed to evaluate the association and adjust for age, smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and fractures. From the 1301 women invited to participate in the study, 1057 completed the questionnaire. Their mean [mean (SD)] age was 67.2(7.6) years. The frequency of calcium supplementation was 18.6%. There was no association between heart failure, stroke, and ischemic heart disease and calcium supplementation [ PR(95% CI ) - 0.3 (-0.9, 0.4), - 0.2 (-0.8, 0.4); - 0.5 (-1.0, 0.02); respectively]. In conclusion, we found no increased risk of CVD in women using calcium supplementation at the primary care in South Brazil.