Adult groups at risk of Vitamin D deficiency
The following adult groups are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency: 2
- older people, aged 65 years and over 2
- people who have low or no exposure to the sun, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, who are housebound or who are confined indoors for long periods 2
- Institutionalized or hospitalized individuals 1
- people who have darker skin, for example people of African, African-Caribbean or South Asian origin, because their bodies are not able to make as much vitamin D. 2
- Obese individuals 1
- Patients being evaluated for osteoporosis
- Those recently treated for vitamin D deficiency and requiring maintenance therapy.
- Use of certain concomitant medications (e.g., anticonvulsant medications, glucocorticoids)
- Patients with malabsorption, including inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, crohn’s disease and cystic fibrosis 1
- Chronic disease that may increase risk of vitamin D deficiency: • chronic renal disease, chronic liver disease 2
