Background:

The high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in Spain is considered a genuine epidemic with crucial health implications due to the multiple functions that vitamin D exerts both at the skeletal and extraskeletal levels. In order for people with insufficiency or deficiency in vitamin D to reach the most adequate serum levels, they must receive vitamin D supplements. This study was carried out to evaluate whether, in routine clinical practice, hypovitaminosis D management was done in accordance with international recommendations established by scientific societies.

Methods:

Two rounds of a Delphi questionnaire were carried out among a panel formed by experts who regularly prescribe vitamin D.

Results:

In general, the physicians on the panel recognized the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in Spain, the need for screening in the different risk groups and the benefits of supplementation in patients with insufficient or deficient vitamin D. However, no consensus was reached on some of the statements related to vitamin D quantification methods or recommendations for managing hypovitaminosis D.

Conclusions:

The lack of agreement for some of the items revealed the need to carry out training actions aimed at providing adequate and updated knowledge about the scientific evidence and recommendations for the clinical practice of vitamin D supplementation.

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