Expert consensus on vitamin D in osteoporosis

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Bone Metabolism
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Vitamin D is vital for bone health and osteoporosis management.
• Recent studies on vitamin D supplementation for fracture prevention yield conflicting results.
• Optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and diagnostic/treatment guidelines remain controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish expert consensus recommendations for vitamin D deficiency diagnosis, assessment, and treatment.
• To provide guidance for various risk populations, particularly those with osteoporosis.
• To address challenges posed by varying assays and equivocal clinical trial data.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of MEDLINE via PubMed for meta-analyses, systematic reviews, RCTs, and observational studies.
• Evaluation of available literature by experts, grading references by study type.
• Development of key recommendations based on reviewed clinical evidence.

Main Results:

• The expert consensus presents nine key recommendations regarding vitamin D deficiency.
• Guidance is tailored for populations at different risks, with a focus on osteoporosis patients.
• Supporting information is available in an appendix.

Conclusions:

• This consensus serves as a practical guide for clinicians in diagnosing and treating vitamin D deficiency.
• It emphasizes individualized patient care, considering specific patient conditions and situations.
• Clinicians should integrate evidence-based recommendations with clinical judgment.