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

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.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Naomi Vather-Wu ◽  
Matthew D. Krasowski ◽  
Katherine D. Mathews ◽  
Amal Shibli-Rahhal

Background: Expert guidelines recommend annual monitoring of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and maintaining 25-OHD ≥30 ng/ml in patients with dystrophinopathies. Objective: We hypothesized that 25-OHD remains stable and requires less frequent monitoring in patients taking stable maintenance doses of vitamin D. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study, using the electronic health record to identify 26 patients with dystrophinopathies with a baseline 25-OHD ≥30 ng/mL and at least one additional 25-OHD measurement. These patients had received a stable dose of vitamin D for ≥3 months prior to their baseline 25-OHD measurement and throughout follow-up. The main outcome measured was the mean duration time the subjects spent with a 25-OHD ≥30 ng/mL. Results: Only 19% of patients dropped their 25-OHD to <  30 ng/ml, with a mean time to drop of 33 months and a median nadir 25-OHD of 28 ng/mL. Conclusions: These results suggest that measurement of 25-OHD every 2–2.5 years may be sufficient in patients with a baseline 25-OHD ≥30 ng/mL and who are on a stable maintenance dose of vitamin D. Other patients may require more frequent assessments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Naowanit Nata ◽  
Jessada Kanchanasinitth ◽  
Pamila Tasanavipas ◽  
Ouppatham Supasyndh ◽  
Bancha Satirapoj

Background. Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem among patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Vitamin D supplementation leads to reduced serum parathyroid hormone levels and improved cardiovascular markers. Different doses and time intervals of oral vitamin D supplementation may differ in each patient on dialysis. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of weekly split and single dose of ergocalciferol at 60,000 IU on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) among patients on CAPD. Methods. A randomized study was conducted among patients on CAPD with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL). Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the split dose group was given ergocalciferol 20,000 IU three times weekly and the single dose group was given ergocalciferol 60,000 IU once weekly for 8 weeks. Main outcomes measured serum 25(OH)D concentrations, serum calcium, serum phosphate, and intact parathyroid levels at 8 weeks after being enrolled. Results. Of 128 screened patients, 50 met the criteria for eligibility and were randomized. At 8 weeks after treatment, mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations significantly increased from baseline 22.7 ± 5.9 to 29.5 ± 9.5 ng/mL P = 0.004 in the split dose group and 22.9 ± 5.3 to 31.2 ± 12.3 ng/mL P = 0.003 in the single dose group. No significant change was found in increase of serum 25(OH)D between the two groups P = 0.561 . At the end of study, a similar proportion of patients in both groups reached the desirable serum concentration of 25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/mL (60% in the single group vs. 40% in the split group, P = 0.258 ). No significant cases of hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, or serious adverse events occurred during the study. Conclusion. Weekly single and split doses of ergocalciferol 60,000 IU achieved similar effects on serum 25(OH)D levels among patients on CAPD with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, suggesting that weekly single dose would be prescribed for adequate vitamin D repletion. This trial is registered with TCTR20200821005.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (02) ◽  
pp. 1550008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Negin Masoudi Alavi ◽  
Mahla Madani ◽  
Mohsen Taghizadeh ◽  
Mohammad Reza Sharif

Purpose: To investigate the effect of weekly single high dose vitamin D supplementation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and non-specific musculoskeletal pain in female nurses. Methods: In this prospective study in Kashan/Iran, from April 1, 2014, through September 30, 2014, the 150 nurses with vitamin D deficiency received the weekly pearls of 50,000 units of vitamin D3 for 10 weeks. The serum level of 25(OH)D was measured before and after supplement therapy. The subjects were also asked to complete the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. All analyses were conducted with SPSS version 16. Results: After 10 weeks of intervention there was [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D. The 82 nurses (54.7%) had 25(OH)D in normal range, while the 68 nurses (45.3%) were still vitamin D deficient. Weight could explain 15.4% increase in 25(OH)D. Before intervention 135 (90%), of nurses reported musculoskeletal pain in at least one region, after intervention this number decreased to 72.7%. There was a statistically significant improvement in musculoskeletal pain in neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, hips/tights, knees, and ankles/feet after intervention. Conclusions: The weekly single high dose of vitamin D for 10 weeks could resolve vitamin D deficiency in about half of the patients. Patients with non-specific musculoskeletal pain might benefit from vitamin D supplementation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armin Zittermann ◽  
Jana B. Ernst ◽  
Jan F. Gummert ◽  
Jochen Börgermann

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-112
Author(s):  
Joshua Garfein ◽  
Kerry S Flannagan ◽  
Sheila Gahagan ◽  
Raquel Burrows ◽  
Betsy Lozoff ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity-related conditions, but the role of early life vitamin D status on the development of obesity is poorly understood. Objectives We assessed whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] at age 1 y was related to metabolic health through adolescence. Methods We quantified serum 25(OH)D in samples obtained at age 1 y from 306 participants in a cohort study in Santiago, Chile. Anthropometry was performed at ages 5, 10, and 16/17 y. At 16/17 y, we determined body composition using DXA and quantified metabolic parameters in a blood sample. We examined the associations of infancy 25(OH)D with BMI-for-age z-score (BMIZ) at ages 5, 10, and 16/17 y; with percentage fat and percentage lean body mass at age 16/17 y; and with a metabolic syndrome (MetS) score and its components at age 16/17 y. Results Infancy 25(OH)D was inversely associated with BMIZ in childhood. Every 25-nmol/L difference in 25(OH)D was related to an adjusted 0.11 units lower BMIZ at age 5 y (95% CI: −0.20, −0.03; P = 0.01) and a 0.09 unit lower BMIZ change from ages 1 to 5 y (95% CI: −0.17, −0.01; P = 0.02). Also, every 25-nmol/L 25(OH)D in infancy was associated with an adjusted 1.3 points lower percentage body fat mass (95% CI: −2.2, −0.4; P = 0.005) and an adjusted 0.03 units lower MetS score (95% CI: −0.05, −0.01; P = 0.01) at age 16/17 y, through inverse associations with waist circumference and the HOMA-IR. Conclusions Serum 25(OH)D at age 1 y is inversely associated with childhood BMIZ, percentage body fat at age 16/17 y, and a MetS score at age 16/17 y. Intervention studies are warranted to examine the effects of vitamin D supplementation in early life on long-term cardiometabolic outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1058-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Le ◽  
Teng-Fei Yuan ◽  
Jia-Qing Geng ◽  
Shao-Ting Wang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
...  

Vitamin D metabolite analysis possessed significant clinical value for the pediatric department. However, invasive venipuncture sampling and high blood consumption inflicted much suffering on patients. For alleviation, we carried out a LC-MS method for 25-hydroxyvitamin D quantification in only 3 μl of plasma from the considerably less invasive finger-prick blood samples. To improve sensitivity, acylation on C3-hydroxyl (by isonicotinoyl chloride) rather than Diels-Alder adduction on s-cis-diene structure was for the very first time introduced into vitamin D metabolite derivatization. Compared with the existing derivatization approaches, this novel strategy not only prevented isomer interference, but also exhibited higher reacting throughput. For certification, the methodology was systematically validated and showed satisfying consistency with SRM927a. During clinical application, we found a convincing correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and indirect/total bilirubin in jaundiced newborns. Such an observation indicated that vitamin D supplementation may help to achieve optimal outcomes in neonatal jaundice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1109-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Bouillon ◽  
Claudio Marcocci ◽  
Geert Carmeliet ◽  
Daniel Bikle ◽  
John H White ◽  
...  

AbstractThe etiology of endemic rickets was discovered a century ago. Vitamin D is the precursor of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and other metabolites, including 1,25(OH)2D, the ligand for the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The effects of the vitamin D endocrine system on bone and its growth plate are primarily indirect and mediated by its effect on intestinal calcium transport and serum calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Rickets and osteomalacia can be prevented by daily supplements of 400 IU of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <50 nmol/L) accelerates bone turnover, bone loss, and osteoporotic fractures. These risks can be reduced by 800 IU of vitamin D together with an appropriate calcium intake, given to institutionalized or vitamin D–deficient elderly subjects. VDR and vitamin D metabolic enzymes are widely expressed. Numerous genetic, molecular, cellular, and animal studies strongly suggest that vitamin D signaling has many extraskeletal effects. These include regulation of cell proliferation, immune and muscle function, skin differentiation, and reproduction, as well as vascular and metabolic properties. From observational studies in human subjects, poor vitamin D status is associated with nearly all diseases predicted by these extraskeletal actions. Results of randomized controlled trials and Mendelian randomization studies are supportive of vitamin D supplementation in reducing the incidence of some diseases, but, globally, conclusions are mixed. These findings point to a need for continued ongoing and future basic and clinical studies to better define whether vitamin D status can be optimized to improve many aspects of human health. Vitamin D deficiency enhances the risk of osteoporotic fractures and is associated with many diseases. We review what is established and what is plausible regarding the health effects of vitamin D.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuyoshi Urashima ◽  
Mai Okuyama ◽  
Taisuke Akutsu ◽  
Hironori Ohdaira ◽  
Mutsumi Kaji ◽  
...  

Vitamin D has been shown to suppress the growth of cancer cells. Cancer cells are believed to take up bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) (i.e., not bound to vitamin-D-binding protein (DBP)) more efficiently than DBP-bound 25(OH)D. Our aim was to use this bioavailable 25(OH)D, rather than total 25(OH)D, as a biomarker of vitamin D deficiency to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation improves the relapse-free survival (RFS) of patients with digestive tract cancer from the esophagus to the rectum by conducting a post hoc analysis of the AMATERASU trial (UMIN000001977). The bioavailable 25(OH)D levels were calculated via an equation using data of serum total 25(OH)D, albumin, and DBP levels, and DBP genotypes (rs7041 and rs4588). We estimated bioavailable 25(OH) levels in 355 patients. In a subgroup of patients with low bioavailable 25(OH)D levels (<median) (n = 177), 5 year RFS was 77% in the vitamin D group vs. 58% in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.31–0.95; p = 0.03), whereas no significant difference was seen in a subgroup of patients with high bioavailable 25(OH)D levels (p for interaction = 0.046). We hypothesize that vitamin D supplementation may be effective in improving RFS among digestive tract cancer patients with low bioavailable 25(OH)D levels.


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