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. 2018 Mar 17;8:135–146. doi: 10.1016/j.bonr.2018.03.004

Table 2.

Summary of vitamin D replacement guidelines in the general population, identified in the MENA region.

Author year/journal Country Guidelines developing groupa Desirable 25(OH) D level Recommendations
A vitamin D targeted guidelines
Raef et al., 2011
Ann Saudi Med
KSA Osteoporosis Working Group of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre NA
  • -

    18–50 years: 400–800 IU/d

  • -

    51–70 years: 800 IU/d

  • -

    >70 years: 800 IU/d

Al-Daghri et al., 2017
Arch Osteoporos
KSA Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis: 12 local and 2 expert advisers from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO)
  • -

    Sufficiency: 25(OH)D ≥ 20 ng/ml

  • -

    Adequacy for frail, osteoporotic elderly: 25(OH)D > 30 ng/ml

  • -

    Pregnant women: 1000–2000 IU/d

  • -

    Post-menopausal women: 1000–2000 IU/d

Haq et al., 2018
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol
UAE Not defined explicitly, but authors included experts in endocrinology and metabolism, biochemistry and public health –30 ng/ml as per the Endocrine Society
  • -

    Children and adolescents: 600–1000 IU/d

  • -

    >18 years: 800–2000 IU/d

  • -

    Pregnant women: 1500–2000 IU/d




B osteoporosis guidelines
Lebanese Society for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone disorders (OSTEOS), 2012 Lebanon Guidelines developed by: OSTEOS
Guidelines endorsed by: Lebanese Society of Endocrinology; Lebanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Lebanese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons; Lebanese Society of Radiology; Lebanese Society of Rheumatology; Lebanese Society of Family Medicine; Lebanese Society of Internal Medicine; Lebanese Society of General Practitioners
30–60 ng/ml
  • -

    Children-adolescents and low-risk adults under 50 years of age: 600–1000 IU/d

  • -

    High-risk and older adults: 1000–2000 IU/d, with potential for consideration of higher doses

Maalouf et al., 2007
J Musculo-skelet Neuronal Interact
MENA Not defined explicitly, but authors included experts in osteoporosis, endocrinology and metabolism No clear statement
  • -

    Women 50–70 year: ≥400 IU/d

  • -

    Women >70 years: ≥600 IU/d

Abbreviations: 25(OH) D: 25‑hydroxyvitamin D; ESCEO: European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis; KSA: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; MENA: Middle East and North Africa; NA: not available; OSTEOS: Lebanese Society for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone disorders; UAE: United Arab Emirates.

a

None of the documents describe the methodology used in the guideline development process.