title: Should We Screen for Vitamin D Deficiency?: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
abstract: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently issued guidelines on screening for vitamin D deficiency. The guidelines were based on randomized trials of vitamin D deficiency screening and treatment, as well as on case-control studies nested within the Women's Health Initiative. The USPSTF concluded that current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults. Compared with placebo or no treatment, vitamin D was associated with decreased mortality; however, benefits were no longer seen after trials of institutionalized persons were excluded. Vitamin D treatment was associated with a possible decreased risk for at least 1 fall and the total number of falls per person but not for fractures. None of the studies examined the effects of vitamin D screening versus not screening on clinical outcomes. In this Grand Rounds, 2 prominent endocrinologists debate the issue of screening for vitamin D deficiency in a 55-year-old, asymptomatic, postmenopausal woman. They review the data on which the USPSTF recommendations are based and discuss the potential benefits and risks, as well as the challenges and controversies, of screening for vitamin D deficiency in primary care practice.
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Libman
authors.forename: Alan O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Malabanan
authors.forename: Gordon J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Strewler
authors.forename: Eileen E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D