Determinants of vitamin D status and prediction model of vitamin D deficiency

Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D is important for preventing rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis and fracture. Suboptimal levels of vitamin D have also been associated with risk of colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and overall mortality. The concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in serum is widely recognized as the best measure of vitamin D status, but there is debate about the optimum level for good health. Recently, large  increases in vitamin D testing and supplementation have been reported from Australia and the United Kingdom. In Australia, the number of vitamin D tests has increased by 100-fold in the last decade prompting calls for targeted testing.

Tran et al. conducted a cross-sectional study of 644 participants who took part in a pilot randomized, controlled trial of Vitamin D supplementation to analyse determinants of low 25(OH)D and to develop simple prediction models that could be used by the public or in general practice. Based on the results of their study, they have attempted to develop a model that would enable more targeted testing, but further refinement and validation is needed before it could be implemented as a tool that could be used by the public and in clinical settings.

Read full article at Tran et al. (2013) Clinical Endocrinology 79; 631-640; DOI: 10.1111/cen.12203