scholarly journals Socio-demographic and knowledge-related determinants of vitamin D supplementation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: assessment of an educational intervention

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Žmitek ◽  
Maša Hribar ◽  
Živa Lavriša ◽  
Hristo Hristov ◽  
Anita Kušar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Skeletal Health ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Daily Vitamin ◽  
Study Results

AbstractVitamin D is a pro-hormone, essential for musculo-skeletal health, normal immune system, and numerous other body functions. Vitamin D deficiency is considered a risk factor in many conditions, and there is growing evidence of its potential role in the severity of COVID-19 outcomes. However, an alarmingly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is reported in many regions, and vitamin D supplementation is commonly recommended, particularly during wintertime. To reduce the risk for vitamin D deficiency in the Slovenian population during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted mass media intervention with an educational campaign. The objective of this study was to investigate vitamin D supplementation practices in Slovenia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to determine the effects of the educational intervention on supplementation practices. Two data collections were conducted using an online panel with quota sampling for age, sex, and geographical location. A pre-intervention (N=602, April 2020) and post-intervention (N=606) sampling were done during the first and second COVID-19 lockdown, respectively. We also focused on the identification of different factors connected to vitamin D supplementation, with a particular emphasis on vitamin D-related knowledge. Study results showed significant changes in vitamin D supplementation in the population. Penetration of the supplementation increased from 33% in April to 56% in December 2020. The median daily vitamin D intake in supplement users was 25 µg, with about 95% of supplement users taking safe intake levels below 100 µg/daily. Vitamin D-related knowledge (particularly about dietary sources of vitamin D, the health-related impact of vitamin D, and the prevalence of deficiency) was identified as a key independent predictor of vitamin D supplementation. Based on the study findings, we prepared recommendations, which will enable the development of effective awareness campaigns for increasing supplementation of vitamin D.

scholarly journals Socio-Demographic and Knowledge-Related Determinants of Vitamin D Supplementation in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Assessment of an Educational Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Žmitek ◽  
Maša Hribar ◽  
Živa Lavriša ◽  
Hristo Hristov ◽  
Anita Kušar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Skeletal Health ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Daily Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Study Results

Vitamin D is a pro-hormone, essential for musculo-skeletal health, normal immune system, and numerous other body functions. Vitamin D deficiency is considered as a risk factor in many conditions, and there is growing evidence of its potential role in the severity of COVID-19 outcomes. However, an alarmingly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is reported in many regions, and vitamin D supplementation is commonly recommended, particularly during wintertime. To reduce the risk for vitamin D deficiency in the Slovenian population during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted mass media intervention with an educational campaign. The objective of this study was to investigate vitamin D supplementation practices in Slovenia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to determine the effects of the educational intervention on supplementation practices. Two data collections were conducted using an online panel with quota sampling for age, sex, and geographical location. A pre-intervention (N = 602, April 2020) and post-intervention (N = 606, December 2020) sampling were done during the first and second COVID-19 lockdown, respectively. We also focused on the identification of different factors connected to vitamin D supplementation, with a particular emphasis on vitamin D-related knowledge. Study results showed significant increase in vitamin D supplementation in the population. Penetration of the supplementation increased from 33% in April to 56% in December 2020. The median daily vitamin D intake in supplement users was 25 μg, with about 95% of supplement users taking safe vitamin D levels below 100 μg/daily. Vitamin D-related knowledge (particularly about dietary sources of vitamin D, the health-related impact of vitamin D, and the prevalence of deficiency) was identified as a key independent predictor of vitamin D supplementation. Based on the study findings, we prepared recommendations to support the development of effective awareness campaigns for increasing supplementation of vitamin D.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Supplementation Modestly Reduces Serum Iron Indices of Healthy Arab Adolescents

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Masoud ◽  
Majed Alokail ◽  
Sobhy Yakout ◽  
Malak Khattak ◽  
Marwan AlRehaili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Serum Iron ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
King Saud University ◽  
Deficiency Type

Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to affect iron status via decreased calcitriol production, translating to decreased erythropoiesis. The present study aimed to determine for the first time whether vitamin D supplementation can affect iron levels among Arab adolescents. A total of 125 out of the initial 200 Saudi adolescents with vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) were selected from the Vitamin D-School Project of King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cluster randomization was done in schools, and students received either vitamin D tablets (1000 IU/day) (N = 53, mean age 14.1 ± 1.0 years) or vitamin D-fortified milk (40IU/200mL) (N = 72, mean age 14.8 ± 1.4 years). Both groups received nutritional counseling. Anthropometrics, glucose, lipids, iron indices, and 25(OH)D were measured at baseline and after six months. Within group analysis showed that post-intervention, serum 25(OH)D significantly increased by as much as 50%, and a parallel decrease of −42% (p-values <0.001 and 0.002, respectively) was observed in serum iron in the tablet group. These changes were not observed in the control group. Between-group analysis showed a clinically significant increase in serum 25(OH)D (p = 0.001) and decrease in iron (p < 0.001) in the tablet group. The present findings suggest a possible inhibitory role of vitamin D supplementation in the iron indices of healthy adolescents whose 25(OH)D levels are sub-optimal but not severely deficient, implying that the causal relationship between both micronutrients may be dependent on the severity of deficiency, type of iron disorder, and other vascular conditions that are known to affect hematologic indices. Well-designed, randomized trials are needed to confirm the present findings.

189 THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION ON ANTI-MULLERIAN HORMONE LEVELS IN REPRODUCTIVE-AGE WOMEN

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Taheri ◽  
M. Modarres ◽  
A. Abdollahi
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
T Test ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Reproductive Age Women

Vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with the infertility and lower clinical pregnancy following IVF. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) plays a key role during follicle development; it has been recognised as a predictor of regular ovulation and probably IVF success. Considering the critical need for experimental human study to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on ovulatory function, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the vitamin D supplementation on AMH serum levels among reproductive-age women with vitamin D deficiency. 195 reproductive women (18–35 year-old) with confirmed vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D <75 nmol L–1] and without diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were enrolled to this controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 96) or an intervention group (n = 99). Women in the intervention group used 2000 IU day–1 vitamin D drops for 15 weeks. 19 participants were missed during the follow-up; finally the numbers of women in the intervention and control groups were 91 and 85, respectively. At the beginning of the study and after the intervention, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and AMH serum levels were quantified using enzyme immunoassay (EIA; Immunodiagnostic Systems, Boldon, UK) and ELISA (Beckman-Coulter Inc., Fullerton, CA, USA) methods respectively. The post-intervention AMH measurement was performed after 2–5 weeks in the same day-of-cycle on which basal AMH measurement was done. Paired t-test, independent t-test, and Pearson correlation were used as appropriate and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Significantly low AMH levels were seen in the vitamin D deficient women of this study (14.46 ± 11.92 pmol L–1 in control group and 14.09 ± 11.52 pmol L–1 in intervention group). After the intake of vitamin D supplementation in intervention group, AMH levels were increased to 24.89 ± 12.47 pmol L–1, which were significantly different from the 15.43 ± 13.03 pmol L–1 in control group (P < 0.001). Correlation coefficients for AMH with pre-intervention and post-intervention vitamin D were r = 0.489 and r = 0.599 respectively (P < 0.001). Treatment of vitamin D deficiency increases AMH to the optimum levels. Vitamin D deficient women had low levels of AMH. These findings support other studies which found a correlation of poor IVF outcomes with low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D supplementation could be useful in the improvement of controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation/IVF outcomes in case of vitamin D deficiency.

scholarly journals Cholecalciferol or Calcifediol in the Management of Vitamin D Deficiency

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Sosa Henríquez ◽  
M. Jesús Gómez de Tejada Romero
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Skeletal Health ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
25 Hydroxy Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem due to its high prevalence and its negative consequences on musculoskeletal and extra-skeletal health. In our comparative review of the two exogenous vitamin D supplementation options most used in our care setting, we found that cholecalciferol has more scientific evidence with positive results than calcifediol in musculoskeletal diseases and that it is the form of vitamin D of choice in the most accepted and internationally recognized clinical guidelines on the management of osteoporosis. Cholecalciferol, unlike calcifediol, guarantees an exact dosage in IU (International Units) of vitamin D and has pharmacokinetic properties that allow either daily or even weekly, fortnightly, or monthly administration in its equivalent doses, which can facilitate adherence to treatment. Regardless of the pattern of administration, cholecalciferol may be more likely to achieve serum levels of 25(OH)D (25-hydroxy-vitamin D) of 30–50 ng/mL, an interval considered optimal for maximum benefit at the lowest risk. In summary, the form of vitamin D of choice for exogenous supplementation should be cholecalciferol, with calcifediol reserved for patients with liver failure or severe intestinal malabsorption syndromes.

scholarly journals Nutrition Support in Liver Transplantation and Postoperative Recovery: The Effects of Vitamin D Level and Vitamin D Supplementation in Liver Transplantation

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3677
Author(s):  
Junshi Doi ◽  
Amika Moro ◽  
Masato Fujiki ◽  
Bijan Eghtesad ◽  
Cristiano Quintini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Skeletal Health ◽  
Post Transplant ◽  
Serum Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays an important role in the arena of liver transplantation. In addition to affecting skeletal health significantly, it also clinically exerts immune-modulatory properties. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the nutritional issues in the perioperative period of liver transplantation (LT). Although vitamin D deficiency is known to contribute to higher incidences of acute cellular rejection (ACR) and graft failure in other solid organ transplantation, such as kidneys and lungs, its role in LT is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical implication of vitamin D deficiency in LT. LT outcomes were reviewed in a retrospective cohort of 528 recipients during 2014–2019. In the pre-transplant period, 55% of patients were vitamin-D-deficient. The serum vitamin D level was correlated with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD-Na) score. Vitamin D deficiency in the post-transplant period was associated with lower survival after LT, and the post-transplant supplementation of vitamin D was associated with a lower risk of ACR. The optimal vitamin D status and vitamin D supplementation in the post-transplant period may prolong survival and reduce ACR incidence.

scholarly journals MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Therapeutics of vitamin D

2018 ◽  
Vol 179 (5) ◽  
pp. R239-R259 ◽  
Author(s):  
P R Ebeling ◽  
R A Adler ◽  
G Jones ◽  
U A Liberman ◽  
G Mazziotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reverse Causality ◽  
Skeletal Health ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Tract Infections

Objective The central role of vitamin D in bone health is well recognized. However, controversies regarding its clinical application remain. We therefore aimed to review the definition of hypovitaminosis D, the skeletal and extra-skeletal effects of vitamin D and the available therapeutic modalities. Design Narrative and systematic literature review. Methods An international working group that reviewed the current evidence linking bone and extra-skeletal health and vitamin D therapy to identify knowledge gaps for future research. Results Findings from observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in vitamin D deficiency are discordant, with findings of RCTs being largely negative. This may be due to reverse causality with the illness itself contributing to low vitamin D levels. The results of many RCTs have also been inconsistent. However, overall evidence from RCTs shows vitamin D reduces fractures (when administered with calcium) in the institutionalized elderly. Although controversial, vitamin D reduces acute respiratory tract infections (if not given as bolus monthly or annual doses) and may reduce falls in those with the lowest serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels. However, despite large ongoing RCTs with 21 000–26 000 participants not recruiting based on baseline 25OHD levels, they will contain a large subset of participants with vitamin D deficiency and are adequately powered to meet their primary end-points. Conclusions The effects of long-term vitamin D supplementation on non-skeletal outcomes, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the optimal dose and serum 25OHD level that balances extra-skeletal benefits (T2DM) vs risks (e.g. CVD), may soon be determined by data from large RCTs.

Vitamin D Deficiency/Insufficiency and Challenges in Developing Global Vitamin D Fortification and Supplementation Policy in Adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Ben-Shoshan
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Societal Burden ◽  
Time Period ◽  
New Guidelines ◽  
In Cis

This review summarizes studies discussing vitamin D status in adults and reveals that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is highly prevalent in adults and that current fortification and supplementation policies are inadequate. Background and aims: Studies suggest a crucial role for adequate vitamin D status in various health conditions including bone metabolism, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and allergies. However, relatively little is known about poor vitamin D status and unmet needs in adults. This report aims to highlight the contribution of epidemiologic studies (through the identification of health effects and societal burden) to the development of vitamin D fortification and supplementation policies and reveal unmet global challenges in adults. Methods: In order to assess worldwide vitamin D status in adults, the search strategy combined the medical literature database MEDLINE (using PubMed) for the time period between January 1, 1980 and February 28, 2011, using the key words “vitamin D” “deficiency” and “insufficiency”, and included articles in which access to full text was possible and in which healthy adults were assessed according to one of four commonly used vitamin D threshold classifications. Results: This report reveals that vitamin D deficiency occurs in 4.10 % [95 % CI (confidence interval), 3.93 %, 4.27 %] to 55.05 % (54.07 %, 56.03 %) of adults, while insufficiency occurs in 26.07 % (24.82 %, 27.33 %) to 78.50 % (77.85 %, 79.16 %), depending on the classification used. However, lack of overlap in CIs and high value of I2 statistics indicate considerable heterogeneity between studies. Further, certain populations (i. e. dark-skinned individuals, immigrants, and pregnant women) may be at higher risk for poor vitamin D status. Conclusion: Current policies for vitamin D supplementation and fortification are inadequate and new guidelines are required to improve vitamin D status in adults.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Polish Medical Doctors

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2443
Author(s):  
Wojciech Stefan Zgliczyński ◽  
Olga Maria Rostkowska ◽  
Beata Sarecka-Hujar
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Study Results ◽  
25 Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background Vitamin D deficiency occurs in as much as 90–95% of the Polish population, although this condition is known to cause negative long-term health implications. The role of medical doctors in advising proper supplementation, monitoring and correcting the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in individuals is of great importance and should be used to help mitigate its common deficits. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices of Polish physicians regarding vitamin D supplementation in order to identify areas for improvement and determinants for the knowledge gaps. Methods The study group comprised 701 medical doctors aged 32.1 ± 5.3 years on average, mostly women (71.61%). An original survey questionnaire was developed for the purpose of the study. Results The mean vitamin D knowledge score was 6.8 ± 2.3 (in a scale 0–13) and was related to gender (p < 0.001), type of specialization (p = 0.032), D3 supplements use (p < 0.001), recommending supplementation to patients (p = 0.005), to relatives and friends (p < 0.001) and to healthy adults (p < 0.001). In terms of self-administration, 14% of respondents take vitamin D all-year-round while 24% only in autumn and winter. 25% of respondents monitor their vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) serum concentration. Most participants (61%) did not recommend supplementing vitamin D to their patients on a regular basis. Conclusions The study indicates that medical doctors in Poland need to have more training and education on vitamin D supplementation in order to better address the problem of its deficits in the population.

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