Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults

US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

  • Krist, Alex H. MD; MPH
  • Davidson, Karina W. PhD; MASc
  • Mangione, Carol M. MD; MSPH
  • Cabana, Michael MD; MA; MPH
  • Caughey, Aaron B. MD; PhD
  • Davis, Esa M. MD; MPH
  • Donahue, Katrina E. MD; MPH
  • Doubeni, Chyke A. MD; MPH
  • Epling, John W. Jr MD; MSEd
  • Kubik, Martha PhD; RN
  • Li, Li MD; PhD; MPH
  • Ogedegbe, Gbenga MD; MPH
  • Owens, Douglas K. MD; MS
  • Pbert, Lori PhD
  • Silverstein, Michael MD; MPH
  • Stevermer, James MD; MSPH
  • Tseng, Chien-Wen MD; MPH; MSEE
  • Wong, John B. MD
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 325(14):p 1436-1442, April 13, 2021. | DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.3069

Importance

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that performs an important role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism and also affects many other cellular regulatory functions outside the skeletal system. Vitamin D requirements may vary by individual; thus, no one serum vitamin D level cutpoint defines deficiency, and no consensus exists regarding the precise serum levels of vitamin D that represent optimal health or sufficiency.

Objective

To update its 2014 recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review on screening for vitamin D deficiency, including the benefits and harms of screening and early treatment.

Population

Community-dwelling, nonpregnant adults who have no signs or symptoms of vitamin D deficiency or conditions for which vitamin D treatment is recommended.

Evidence Assessment

The USPSTF concludes that the overall evidence on the benefits of screening for vitamin D deficiency is lacking. Therefore, the balance of benefits and harms of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults cannot be determined.

Recommendation

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults. (I statement)

Corresponding Article

Why USPSTF Still Finds Insufficient Evidence to Support Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency

  • Michos, Erin D. MD; MHS
  • Kalyani, Rita R. MD; MHS
  • Segal, Jodi B. MD; MPH
JAMA Network Open 4(4):p e213627-, April 13, 2021. | DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3627

Corresponding Article

Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults

Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force

  • Kahwati, Leila C. MD; MPH
  • LeBlanc, Erin MD; MPH
  • Weber, Rachel Palmieri PhD
  • Giger, Kayla BS
  • Clark, Rachel BA
  • Suvada, Kara BS
  • Guisinger, Amy BS
  • Viswanathan, Meera PhD
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 325(14):p 1443-1463, April 13, 2021. | DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.26498

Corresponding Article

Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults

  • Jin, Jill MD; MPH
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 325(14):p 1480, April 13, 2021. | DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.4606

Corresponding Article

The USPSTF 2021 Recommendations on Screening for Asymptomatic Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults

The Challenge for Clinicians Continues

  • Burnett-Bowie, Sherri-Ann M. MD; MPH
  • Cappola, Anne R. MD; ScM
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 325(14):p 1401-1402, April 13, 2021. | DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.2227
Copyright © 2021 by the American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use. American Medical Association, 515 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60610.
View full text|Download PDF