Vitamin D assessment and precision of clinical referrals: Insights gained from a teaching hospital in southern India.
J Postgrad Med
; 66(4): 194-199, 2020.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33037169
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent worldwide. This has led to a significant surge in referrals for vitamin D assessment in recent years. The cost-effectiveness and rationalization of this practice is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the referral pattern for vitamin D testing from a tertiary center in southern India. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
This was a cross-sectional study done over a period of one year (2017). A total of 95,750 individuals, referred for vitamin D screening were included in this study. Details regarding referring departments and indications for referral were obtained from the computerized hospital information processing system (CHIPS).RESULTS:
The study population exhibited a female preponderance (54.1%) with mean (SD) age of 40.3 (18.5) years. Overall, 44% were found to have vitamin D deficiency. Most of the referrals were from nephrology (15.4%), neurology (10.1%), and orthopedics (9.1%). Nevertheless, dermatology, the staff-clinic, and hematology which contributed to 3.3%, 1.7%, and 1.7% of referrals, had a higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency of 59.1%, 57.7%, and 64.6%, respectively. Although the most common indications for referral were generalized body aches (20.5%) and degenerative bone disorders (20.1%), the proportion of subjects with vitamin D deficiency referred for these indications were 46.1% and 41.6%, respectively. In contrast, chronic steroid use that accounted for 3.3% of the referrals had 59.1% of subjects who were deficient in vitamin D.CONCLUSION:
To ensure a rational approach to vitamin D testing, clinicians ought to use their discretion to screen those truly at risk for vitamin D deficiency on a case to case basis and avoid indiscriminate testing of the same.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Referral and Consultation
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Vitamin D Deficiency
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Mass Screening
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
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Screening_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
J Postgrad Med
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
India