Screening for hypovitaminosis D: cost-effective or not?. Issue 3 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Minisola, Salvatore; Colangelo, Luciano; Cipriani, Cristiana; Pepe, Jessica; Cook, Dana Paulina; Mathieu, Chantal
• Is Part Of: European journal of endocrinology. Volume 180:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: D1
• Page End: D7
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Endocrinology -- Periodicals; 616.4005
• DOI: 10.1530/EJE-18-0977
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0804-4643

Abstract

Abstract : Few topics have elicited more emotion than the issue of screening for vitamin D status and the discussion on the need for global supplementation with vitamin D metabolites. The importance of the problem is highlighted by the USPSTF posted draft research plan with the aim of making an update recommendations statement, possibly next year. Here, we discuss two different viewpoints on screening for vitamin D status: for and against. In the literature there are scientifically sound opinions supporting pro and cons positions. However, we believe that the best way to definitively elucidate this issue is the implementation of a randomized controlled trial evaluating clinical outcomes or harms in persons screened versus those not screened for vitamin D deficiency. The feasibility of such a trial is probably questionable owing to uncertainties still present concerning threshold for vitamin D sufficiency and end points (that is, for example, improved bone mineral density, reduced risk of falls and so on) to be reached.