Are 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels adequately monitored following evidence of vitamin D insufficiency in veterans?
Vitamin D insufficiency remains a costly pandemic in veterans. Treatment requires achievement of desired 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. The frequency with which 25(OH)D should be measured following treatment remains speculative. A retrospective analysis of veterans with vitamin D insufficiency was conducted. The group was stratified on the basis of initial 25(OH)D and assessed for frequency of follow-up 25(OH)D concentrations. Over 3 years, 278 patients with insufficient 25(OH)D concentrations were identified. Of these, 87 (31%) patients had subsequent levels assessed in the year following initial documentation of vitamin D insufficiency. The likelihood of follow-up testing was unrelated to the initial vitamin D level. In the patients with follow-up 25(OH)D levels, 90% eventually achieved a serum level of 30 ng/mL or greater. Veterans with vitamin D insufficiency have inadequate serial monitoring of 25(OH)D concentrations.
Peiris
Alan N
AN
Medical Service (111), VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN 37684, USA.
Bailey
Beth A
BA
Manning
Todd
T
Adebonojo
Leslie
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D