Expert Consensus on Optimizing the Strategy for the Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency in Central Asia: From Scientific Evidence to Real-World Practice.

BACKGROUND/

objectivesVitamin D deficiency and insufficiency represent a widespread problem in the majority of Central Asian countries, attributable to the geographical location of the region, urbanization, and dietary patterns of the population. Given that vitamin D not only participates in the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism but also exerts pleiotropic effects on various organs and systems, its insufficiency and deficiency are associated with a broad spectrum of pathological conditions, ranging from asymptomatic manifestations to severe clinical symptoms, including the development of autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular, gynecological and reproductive, and rheumatological conditions. The development of national and interdisciplinary guidelines addressing the diagnosis, prevention of insufficiency, and correction of vitamin D deficiency in the countries of Central Asia represents an important step toward the establishment of effective preventive programs and treatment strategies, which may contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency. The aim of the present work is to formulate a resolution capturing the conclusions and recommendations derived from an interdisciplinary expert discussion.

methodsAn Expert Council meeting with the participation of specialists in endocrinology, obstetrics and gynecology, rheumatology, clinical pharmacology, and other medical disciplines from Central Asian and European countries was conducted in Almaty (Kazakhstan) on 18 June 2025. During this meeting, the pleiotropic action of vitamin D was extensively discussed basing on RCTs and observational studies.

resultsFollowing the Expert Council meeting, current international clinical guidelines, scientific research data, and relevant epidemiological evidence were reviewed, leading to the formulation of a resolution that reflects the agreed-upon recommendations for the prevention of vitamin D insufficiency and the correction of vitamin D deficiency across different age groups according to baseline vitamin D metabolite levels.

conclusionsThe expert discussion emphasized the need for unified interdisciplinary approaches to the diagnosis, correction, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency in the countries of Central Asia. The proposed recommendations may serve as a foundation for the development of national clinical protocols and the implementation of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies in the countries of Central Asia.