Affiliations 

  • 1 Beacon Hospital, 1, Jalan 215, Section 51, Off Jalan Templer, 46050, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. osteoporosis_jklee@yahoo.com
  • 2 Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 Selayang Hospital, Lebuhraya Selayang Kepong, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Clinical Campus, Jalan Rasah, 70300, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • 5 Geriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 6 Universiti Malaya, Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, Lembah Pantai, 59100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 7 Hospital Putrajaya, Jalan P9, Presint 7, Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia
  • 8 Beacon Hospital, 1, Jalan 215, Section 51, Off Jalan Templer, 46050, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 9 Poliklinik Roshan, USJ 9/5M, 47620, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 10 Poliklinik Kepong Baru, 54, Jalan Ambong Kiri Satu, Kepong Baru, 52100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 11 Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 12 School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus, 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, Sydney, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
Osteoporos Int, 2023 Nov;34(11):1837-1850.
PMID: 37430004 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-023-06841-4

Abstract

PURPOSE: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is common among populations globally, and in Asia and Malaysia. The purpose of this Position Paper is to propose recommendations for both clinicians and non-clinicians to promote vitamin D sufficiency in Malaysian adults. Formation of a national multisector, multidisciplinary alliance is also proposed to progress initiatives relating to safe sun exposure, adequate vitamin D intake through food fortification, and vitamin D supplementation for high-risk groups.

METHODS: Literature reviews were undertaken to inform summaries of the following: vitamin D status globally and in Asian and Malaysian populations, vitamin D status among individuals with common medical conditions, and current recommendations to achieve vitamin D sufficiency through sun exposure, food intake and supplementation. Recommendations were based on the findings of the literature reviews, recent European guidance on vitamin D supplementation, the 2018 road map for action on vitamin D in low- and middle-income countries, and research recommendations proposed by the Malaysian Ministry of Health in 2017.

RESULTS: Recommendations on assessment of vitamin D in the adult Malaysian population include using serum or plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration as a biomarker, widespread participation by Malaysian laboratories in the Vitamin D Standardization Program, adoption of the US Endocrine Society definitions of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, and development of a comprehensive nationwide vitamin D status study. Specific high-risk groups are identified for vitamin D assessment and recommendations relating to loading doses and ongoing management are also made.

CONCLUSION: This Position Paper provides individual clinicians and national stakeholder organisations with clear recommendations to achieve vitamin D sufficiency in the adult population of Malaysia.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.