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Vitamin D assessment in population-based studies: a review of the issues^1,2,3,4

¹ From the University at Buffalo, School of Public Health and Health Professions, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Buffalo, NY (AEM), and the Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (LMB)

ABSTRACT

In the past decade, research on the relation between vitamin D exposure and disease in population-based studies has increased exponentially. These studies have involved measurement of vitamin D exposure by means of several methods: blood assays, self-reported dietary and supplemental intakes, and sunlight exposure questionnaires or diaries. As with all exposure measurements, researchers must consider the validity of their assessment tools for capturing vitamin D exposure. The purpose of this article is to summarize our current understanding of the various approaches to measuring vitamin D status within populations as reviewed at the 2007 Experimental Biology symposium, "Assessment of Vitamin D in Population-Based Studies." In summary, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the accepted biomarker for short-term vitamin D status, but estimates of long-term dietary and supplemental intakes of vitamin D and long-term sunlight exposure may be the most logistically feasible indicators of lifetime vitamin D exposure in population-based studies. Also discussed are issues investigators should consider when analyzing relations between vitamin D exposure and disease outcomes in population-based studies as well as research avenues that need further exploration. The best method for assessing vitamin D status in population-based studies will depend primarily on the research question asked and the critical window of vitamin D exposure hypothesized to be most important.

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				A. E Millen and L. M Bodnar Preface Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2008; 87(4): 1079S - 1079S. [Full Text] [PDF]