Supplementing Vitamin D in Different Patient Groups to Reduce Deficiency

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency noted in general and at-risk populations.
• Vitamin D deficiency is linked to various chronic diseases, necessitating effective interventions.
• Challenges in routine monitoring of vitamin D levels in clinical practice.

Approach:

• Systematic literature review on vitamin D dosing strategies.
• Focus on diverse at-risk populations and clinical applicability.
• Analysis of current knowledge for practical guideline development.

Key Points:

• At-risk groups (e.g., those with chronic diseases, obesity, CKD) exhibit higher vitamin D deficiency prevalence and severity.
• Higher vitamin D dosages than standard recommendations are effective in correcting deficiency in these populations.
• Intermittent administration may improve patient adherence to vitamin D therapy.

Conclusions:

• Simplified vitamin D dosing protocols can aid clinicians in managing deficiency, particularly in high-risk groups.
• Empowering clinicians to treat vitamin D deficiency without reliance on routine monitoring is feasible.
• Further research is required to define optimal dosing regimens for specific at-risk subpopulations.