A Best Practice Guideline for Screening and Treating Vitamin D Deficiency in a Primary Care Setting: Moving Beyond the Bones

<p>The importance of vitamin D to bone health is well known, yet new research has linked vitamin D to numerous chronic diseases severely affecting our society. Recent studies have suggested vitamin D plays a critical role in conditions such as diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. These chronic conditions are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality in our society. In addition, a deficiency in vitamin D has become all too common with a majority of Americans deficient in this essential vitamin. Guidelines directing healthcare providers when to screen for vitamin D deficiency beyond bone health and also how to treat the disease do not currently exist. In addition, routine screening does not generally occur in the healthcare setting if the patient is not at risk for bone disease or fractures. Current guidelines are not sufficient to prevent the harmful effects related to a deficiency in vitamin D and adequate intake is essential to the health of all individuals. This paper provides an evidence-based guideline to educate providers on the numerous implications of vitamin D deficiency beyond bone health and explores whether sufficient levels of vitamin D reduce future health risks associated with numerous chronic diseases.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

D.N.P.

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Nursing

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Clark, Amy Jeanette

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kathleen Scharer

• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Nursing

Statement dc:rights

• © 2010, Amy Jeanette Clark

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/323

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-1324