title: Can a questionnaire predict vitamin D status in postmenopausal women?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to determine whether a questionnaire can identify individuals with vitamin D insufficiency (VDI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Women completed the Vitamin D & Sun (VIDSUN) questionnaire and we measured their serum 25-hydrocyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire to identify VDI (25(OH)D level <50 nmol/l).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postmenopausal women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We recruited 609 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 61 (sd 6 years), of whom 113 (19%) had VDI. Women with VDI were more likely to be black (17% v. 2%, P < 0.001), heavier (BMI 33.0 (sd 7) kg/m2 v. 29.0 (sd 7) kg/m2, P < 0.001) and less likely to tan in the past year (49% v. 72%, P < 0.001), use sunscreen (57% v. 72%, P < 0.001) or report sun exposure in the last 3 months. They consumed less vitamin D from supplements (2.15 (sd 5.24) μg/d (86 (sd 210) IU/d) v. 4.55 (sd 8.48) μg/d (188 (sd 344) IU/d), P = 0.003). In logistic regression models, black race, BMI, suntan within the past year, sun exposure in the past 3 months, sunscreen use and supplemental vitamin D intake were the most useful questions to identify VDI. From these six items, a composite score of ≤ 2.25 demonstrated ≥89% sensitivity but ≤35% specificity for VDI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VIDSUN questionnaire provides an initial tool to identify postmenopausal women at high or low risk of VDI. Existing studies suggest that inclusion of physical activity and TAG levels might improve the performance of the VIDSUN questionnaire.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Wisconsin Dietetics Program, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nabak
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Suite 4124 MFCB, 1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2281, USA.
authors.forename: Rachael Erin
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: 3 College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Keuler
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Suite 4124 MFCB, 1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2281, USA.
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013472:Sunlight; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D