5 REVIEW OF THE CLINICAL EVIDENCE FOR VITAMIN D TESTING This Chapter presents the results of the systematic literature review on vitamin D testing in relation to the clinical research questions. 5.1 Evidence base 5.1.1 Search results The search strategy retrieved a total of 4,873 citations. Appendix 6 provides a Quality of Reporting Meta-analyses (QUOROM) flowchart describing the sequence of steps undertaken to select relevant studies for the review of vitamin D testing. In total, 61 studies met the inclusion criteria described in Table 2.3 (Chapter 2). Data were extracted from 61 studies and reviews, and meta-analysis was performed on eligible studies. 5.1.2 Existing health technology assessments and systematic reviews The search for existing systematic reviews and HTAs on vitamin D testing identified 12 systematic reviews and two HTAs. Table 5.1 presents the characteristics and quality assessment of these reviews. Data were extracted from all studies presented in Table 5.1 and are summarised in Chapter 8. Table 5.1: Characteristics and quality assessment of existing systematic reviews Author and Included Objectives Patient population Search period Year studies Vitamin D supplementation for promotion of musculoskeletal health Chung (2011)() To systematically review, with a All included RCTs 16 Up to July 2011 update to meta-analysis, to assess the recruited adults >50 benefits and harms of vitamin D years old. Chung et al. supplementation with or without (2009)() (AHRQ report) calcium on outcomes of cancer and fractures in adults. Murad et al. To assess systematically, with a All RCTs included 26 Up to August meta-analysis, the effectiveness adult. 2010 (2011)() vitamin D supplementation in preventing falls. Michael et al. To evaluate systematically the All included RCTs 9 Up to Feb 2010 (2010)() benefits and harms of recruited adults >50 interventions (including vitamin years old. (AHRQ report) D or vitamin D +calcium) to prevent falls among community dwelling older adults. Avenell et al. To systematically review, with All included RCTs 45 RCTs Up to Oct 2007 (2009)() meta-analysis, the effects of recruited men >65 vitamin D or related compounds, years old and with or without calcium, for women. preventing fractures in older people.
5 REVIEW OF THE CLINICAL EVIDENCE FOR VITAMIN D TESTING This Chapter presents the results of the systematic literature review on vitamin D testing in relation to the clinical research questions. 5.1 Evidence base 5.1.1 Search results The search strategy retrieved a total of 4,873 citations. Appendix 6 provides a Quality of Reporting Meta-analyses (QUOROM) flowchart describing the sequence of steps undertaken to select relevant studies for the review of vitamin D testing. In total, 61 studies met the inclusion criteria described in Table 2.3 (Chapter 2). Data were extracted from 61 studies and reviews, and meta-analysis was performed on eligible studies. 5.1.2 Existing health technology assessments and systematic reviews The search for existing systematic reviews and HTAs on vitamin D testing identified 12 systematic reviews and two HTAs. Table 5.1 presents the characteristics and quality assessment of these reviews. Data were extracted from all studies presented in Table 5.1 and are summarised in Chapter 8. Table 5.1: Characteristics and quality assessment of existing systematic reviews Author and Year Objectives Patient population Included studies Search period Vitamin D supplementation for promotion of musculoskeletal health Chung (2011)() update to Chung et al. (2009)() (AHRQ report) To systematically review, with a meta-analysis, to assess the benefits and harms of vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium on outcomes of cancer and fractures in adults. All included RCTs recruited adults >50 years old. 16 Up to July 2011 Murad et al. (2011)() To assess systematically, with a meta-analysis, the effectiveness vitamin D supplementation in preventing falls. All RCTs included adult. 26 Up to August 2010 Michael et al. (2010)() (AHRQ report) To evaluate systematically the benefits and harms of interventions (including vitamin D or vitamin D +calcium) to prevent falls among community dwelling older adults. All included RCTs recruited adults >50 years old. 9 Up to Feb 2010 Avenell et al. (2009)() To systematically review, with meta-analysis, the effects of vitamin D or related compounds, with or without calcium, for preventing fractures in older people. All included RCTs recruited men >65 years old and women. 45 RCTs Up to Oct 2007