Archive | 2021
Vitamin D prescribing practices amongst clinical practitioners during COVID-19
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused devastation globally mostly affecting countries in\ncolder climates. Therefore, vitamin D is thought to be one of the\ncontributing factors towards causation and severity. Many guidelines do\nnot recommend vitamin D for treatment or prevention. Hence, we set out\nto do a global survey to understand the use and prescribing habits of\nvitamin D amongst clinicians. Methods: Online anonymous questionnaire\nwas sent to clinicians enquiring in their prescribing habits of vitamin\nD and personal use of vitamin D. Results: 4,440 practicing clinicians\nwere included in the analysis with majority of those that responded were\nfrom Asia followed by Europe. 82.9% prescribed vitamin D before\nCOVID-19, more commonly amongst general practitioners (GPs) and Asian\nclinicians more likely to prescribe vitamin D (p<0.005). GPs\nwere also more likely to prescribe vitamin D prophylactically to prevent\nCOVID-19 (OR 1.47, p<0.005). Majority would also prescribe\nvitamin D to treat COVID-19 (72.5%; OR:1.81, p<0.005), as\nwell as Asian clinicians (OR 4.57, p<0.005). 80.4% of\nrespondents were taking vitamin D, more so in the 45-54 and 65-74 age\ngroups (OR2.15 and 2.40, respectively), many of whom did so before\nCOVID-19 (72.1%). Conclusion: Clinicians from different countries have\nacknowledged the role of vitamin D during the COVID-19 pandemic. This\nsurvey has shown that many clinicians would prescribe vitamin D for the\nprevention and treatment of COVID-19. Majority also would recommend\nmeasuring vitamin D levels but not so in patients with COVID-19.