Table 5.
Statement regarding prevention of vitamin D deficiency in adults.
| Consensus Statement | Consensus Voting Scale | Level of Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| In healthy adults without other risk factors, a supplementation of 800–2000 IU/day, for those who want to achieve a targeted/measured 25(OH)D concentration, should be considered during wintertime (mainly November-April) due to insufficient endogenous dermal vitamin D synthesis and depending on the body weight. Due to decreased skin synthesis in elderly (>65 years), a supplementation of 800–2000 IU/day is recommended throughout the year. In hospitalized/institutionalized individuals, a supplementation of 800–2000 IU/day is recommended throughout the year. Women planning a pregnancy should start or maintain the vitamin D supplementation as recommended for healthy adults without other risk factors (800–2000 IU/day). The vitamin D supplementation should be continued throughout pregnancy and lactation. In certain patients/individuals or conditions 2–3 times higher vitamin D dosages, without using vitamin D doses above the UL of 4000 IU/day, are recommended for prevention compared to healthy adults without other risk factors: Malabsorption (e.g., cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, bariatric surgery, radiation enteritis) Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) Dark skin pigmentation As vitamin D metabolites are stored in fat and other tissues and gradually released into the blood circulation, a daily or weekly or monthly supplementation regimen is equally effective and safe, if monthly doses are not exceedingly high, for the prevention of vitamin D deficiency. A tailored approach for vitamin D administration, involving the patients’ preferences of the supplementation regimen (daily, weekly, monthly) might enhance the adherence to preventive vitamin D supplementation. For the prevention of vitamin D deficiency, the supplementation of oral cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is recommended. |
9 (strongly agree) | 30% |
| 8 | 20% | |
| 7 (agree) | 50% | |
| 6 | 0% | |
| 5 (neutral) | 0% | |
| 4 | 0% | |
| 3 (disagree) | 0% | |
| 2 | 0% | |
| 1 (strongly disagree) | 0% | |
| Overall agreement 100%, consensus endorsed | ||