Dataset Information
Voluntary vitamin D testing: a decade-long study of utilisation patterns and impact on deficiency outcomes in Taiwan.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
Although guidelines recommend targeted vitamin D testing for high-risk populations, testing has increased globally. Limited studies have examined real-world testing patterns and their relationship with deficiency outcomes. This study investigates trends, demographic determinants and deficiency outcomes associated with voluntary vitamin D testing among Taiwanese adults.Design
A retrospective cohort study analysing electronic medical records to assess vitamin D testing trends, demographic predictors of deficiency and status changes following consecutive tests within 2 years. Vitamin D status was classified based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels as deficient (< 20 ng/ml), insufficient (20-29·9 ng/ml) or sufficient (≥ 30 ng/ml).Setting
A tertiary medical centre in Taiwan.Participants
Between 2013 and 2022, 13 381 outpatients underwent voluntary vitamin D testing. After excluding those aged < 18 years, with advanced renal disease, osteomalacia, rickets or hyperparathyroidism, 8383 were included in the final analysis.Results
Testing increased sharply after 2019. Although women underwent twice as many tests, men had a higher deficiency prevalence (56·94 % v. 53·01 %). Adults aged 18-34 years had the highest prevalence (67·81 %). Obstetrics and Gynecology specialists ordered the most tests, particularly for female infertility, with 65·73 % of patients deficient. Among those with repeat tests, deficiency prevalence decreased from 59.32 % to 43·25 %.Conclusions
The increase in voluntary vitamin D testing with demographic disparities highlights the importance of understanding testing behaviours and public health implications. Improved vitamin D status at follow-up suggests potential benefits in identifying high-risk individuals and emphasises the need for further research to evaluate outcomes and guide prevention strategies.
SUBMITTER: Yeh HY
PROVIDER: S-EPMC12722091 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Voluntary vitamin D testing: a decade-long study of utilisation patterns and impact on deficiency outcomes in Taiwan.
Public health nutrition 20250925 1
<h4>Objective</h4>Although guidelines recommend targeted vitamin D testing for high-risk populations, testing has increased globally. Limited studies have examined real-world testing patterns and their relationship with deficiency outcomes. This study investigates trends, demographic determinants and deficiency outcomes associated with voluntary vitamin D testing among Taiwanese adults.<h4>Design</h4>A retrospective cohort study analysing electronic medical records to assess vitamin D testing tr ...[more]