Vitamin D prescribing practices among clinical practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic

Jude, Edward B ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3186-4122, Tentolouris, Nikloas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0615-2534, Rastogi, Ashu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9375-3102, Yap, Moi Hoon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7681-4287, Pedrosa, Hermelinda C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2266-8082 and Ling, Stephanie F ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8148-2344 (2022) Vitamin D prescribing practices among clinical practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Science Reports, 5 (4). e691. ISSN 2398-8835

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Abstract

Background and Aims: COVID-19 has caused devastation globally. Low vitamin D status, particularly during the winter months, remains commonplace around the world, and it is thought to be one of the contributing factors toward causation and severity of COVID-19. Many guidelines do not recommend vitamin D for the treatment or prevention of the disease. Hence, we set out to conduct a global survey to understand the use and prescribing habits of vitamin D among clinicians for COVID-19. Methods: An online anonymous questionnaire was sent to clinicians enquiring about their prescribing habits of vitamin D and personal use of vitamin D. Data of the survey were collected between January 15, 2021, and February 13, 2021. Results: Four thousand four hundred forty practicing clinicians were included in the analysis, with the majority of those responding from Asia, followed by Europe. 82.9% prescribed vitamin D before COVID-19, more commonly among general practitioners (GPs) in comparison with medical specialists, and Asian clinicians were more likely to prescribe vitamin D in comparison with Caucasian physicians (p < 0.01). GPs were also more likely to prescribe vitamin D prophylactically to prevent COVID-19 in comparison with medical specialists (OR 1.47, p < 0.01). Most GPs (72.8%) would also prescribe vitamin D to treat COVID-19 in comparison with medical specialists (OR 1.81, p < 0.01), as well as more Asian in comparison with Caucasian physicians (OR 4.57, p < 0.01). 80.4% of respondents were taking vitamin D, more so in the 45–54 and 65–74 age groups in comparison with the 18–24 years category (OR 2.15 and 2.40, respectively, both p < 0.05), many of whom did so before COVID-19 (72.1%). Conclusion: This survey has shown that many clinicians would prescribe vitamin D for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The majority would also recommend measuring vitamin D levels, but not so in patients with COVID-19.