Vitamin D screening.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and overall well-being.
• Universal screening for vitamin D deficiency lacks sufficient evidence and cost-effectiveness.
• Identifying at-risk populations is key for targeted intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the necessity and efficacy of universal vitamin D screening.
• To propose an alternative strategy for identifying and managing vitamin D deficiency.
• To reduce healthcare costs associated with widespread vitamin D testing and supplementation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies on vitamin D supplementation benefits and screening efficacy.
• Development of a targeted screening approach using validated questionnaires.
• Sequential strategy: initial supplementation followed by serum 25(OH)D assay for confirmation.

Main Results:

• No evidence supports universal vitamin D screening.
• Four groups identified as not requiring screening: children, adolescents, pregnant women, patients on bone-active drugs, and those with diagnosed hypovitaminosis D.
• Questionnaires effectively identify individuals with hypovitaminosis D among the general population.

Conclusions:

• A targeted screening strategy is more appropriate than universal screening for vitamin D status.
• Prioritizing supplementation based on risk assessment, followed by confirmatory testing, optimizes resource allocation.
• This approach ensures vitamin D sufficiency while minimizing unnecessary diagnostic procedures and costs.