Pakistan’s Vitamin D Crisis Highlights Need for Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Treatment
Vitamin D: Medical experts discuss evidence-based diagnosis and safe treatment at Scotmann Pharmaceuticals’ Connect Summit.
Pakistan’s widespread vitamin D deficiency requires evidence-based diagnosis and treatment. Experts have urged physicians to avoid unnecessary testing and indiscriminate high-dose supplementation.
They shared these recommendations at the Connect Summit, organised by Scotmann Pharmaceuticals. The event brought together medical specialists to discuss vitamin D deficiency and its management across different stages of life.
Research Highlights Widespread Vitamin D Deficiency
In a presentation titled “Mapping the Burden, Mastering the Management,” Dr Sellal Ahmed, Associate Professor at KIMS and consultant at Tabba Heart Institute, reviewed national research and prescribing guidelines.
A review of 18 publications reported an 84.82 per cent prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Separately, an audit of 60,937 laboratory records found a rate of 61.1 per cent.
However, experts cautioned against treating these figures as national estimates. Differences in study populations and diagnostic thresholds can affect the results.
Speakers identified limited sunlight exposure, indoor lifestyles, covered clothing, air pollution and poor dietary intake as contributing factors.
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Dr Ahmed recommended testing patients with relevant clinical indications, including skeletal disease and malabsorption. He advised against routine screening of healthy adults.
He also stressed individualised supplementation and appropriate monitoring. Physicians should avoid repeated high-dose treatments without reassessing patients.
Vitamin D Plays a Role in Lifelong Bone Health
Dr Pervez Ali, Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, said research indicated that around 73 per cent of Pakistani adults had insufficient vitamin D despite abundant sunshine.
In his presentation, “From Childhood to Aging — Vitamin D, a Lifetime Partner in Bone Health,” he highlighted the importance of prevention from an early age.
He noted that nearly 90 per cent of peak bone mass develops by the end of adolescence. This makes childhood and teenage years important for building strong bones.
Experts Discuss Vitamin D and Women’s Health
Dr Farzana Amir discussed vitamin D during women’s reproductive and post-menopausal years.
She outlined potential links between vitamin D deficiency and menstrual disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance and infertility.
Her presentation also addressed possible associations with pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
Dr Amir further highlighted the potential effects of deficiency on bone loss, muscle weakness and fracture risk after menopause.
Medical Specialists Share Their Expertise
Other speakers at the summit included Dr Fakhra Sanjrani, Dr Yousuf Kamal, Dr Jagdesh Kumar, Prof. Dr Ahmed Iqbal Mirza and Dr Avenash Punshi.
The discussions highlighted the importance of assessing patients individually. Speakers emphasised safe supplementation, appropriate testing and clinical monitoring.
The summit concluded that effective vitamin D management requires evidence-based decisions throughout life. It also stressed the need to balance awareness of widespread deficiency with responsible diagnosis and treatment.
