Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults
US Preventive Services Task Force, Alex H. Krist, Karina W. Davidson, Carol M. Mangione, Michael D. Cabana, Aaron B. Caughey, Esa M. Davis, Katrina E Donahue, Chyke A. Doubeni, John W. Epling, Martha Kubik, Li Li, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Douglas K Owens, Lori Pbert, Michael Silverstein, James Stevermer, Chien‐Wen Tseng, John B. Wong
Abstract
Importance: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that performs an important role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism and also affects many other cellular regulatory functions outside the skeletal system. Vitamin D requirements may vary by individual; thus, no one serum vitamin D level cutpoint defines deficiency, and no consensus exists regarding the precise serum levels of vitamin D that represent optimal health or sufficiency. Objective: To update its 2014 recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review on screening for vitamin D deficiency, including the benefits and harms of screening and early treatment. Population: Community-dwelling, nonpregnant adults who have no signs or symptoms of vitamin D deficiency or conditions for which vitamin D treatment is recommended. Evidence Assessment: The USPSTF concludes that the overall evidence on the benefits of screening for vitamin D deficiency is lacking. Therefore, the balance of benefits and harms of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults cannot be determined. Recommendation: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults. (I statement).