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Doctors not consistent on prescribing Vitamin D (Pakistan in this case) July 2018

Knowledge Attitude and Practices about Management of Vitamin D Deficiency among Doctors in Pakistan

Pak J Med Res Vol. 57, No. 2, 2018
Madeeha Hassan , Muhammad Shais Khan , Muhammad Rehan , Tayyaba Tariq , Ali Jawa, S H Waqar

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Dosing Variety
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Background: Hypovitaminosis D is a common health issue in Pakistan because of its high prevalence. The awareness and practices of doctors treating vitamin D deficiency needs to be highlighted, as it will help in managing this public issue.

Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices for diagnosing and treating hypovitaminosis D among practicing doctors in Pakistan.

Subjects and Methods: Clinicians from different cities of the Pakistan were participated for a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire based study about their approach in treating vitamin D deficiency. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were calculated.

Results: One hundred eighty eight (188) practicing doctors from 21 different cities of Pakistan participated in the study. Majority (85.6%, n=161) prescribed vitamin D levels in patients of hypovitaminosis D. It is empirically treated by 101 (53.7%). Most clinicians (84%, n=158) prescribe Cholecalciferol, 19 (10.1%) Alfacalcidol and 11(5.9%) prescribe Calcitriol as a vitamin D supplement, while 155 (82.4%) prescribe a maintenance dose.
The prescription form preferred by doctors is tablets by 49 (26.1%), capsule by 29 (15.4%), oral injections by 68 (36.2%) and intra-muscular by 42 (22.3%). As a follow up tool, 84 (42.6%) clinicians order serum 25(OH) D and serum calcium levels, 102 (54.3%) assess patients by improvement in clinical symptoms and 3(1.9%) use both strategies for assessment. Nutritional advice was also given by most doctors.

Conclusion: There is no uniform approach for diagnosing and treating hypovitaminosis D among practicing doctors in Pakistan. A great variability and gap is seen in prescription options, dosing frequency and duration. This highlights the importance of need for a national guideline regarding prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency.


Created by admin. Last Modification: Thursday July 12, 2018 13:13:11 GMT-0000 by admin. (Version 5)

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10161 Dosing Pakistan.jpg admin 12 Jul, 2018 13:01 29.11 Kb 195
10160 3.32-2017-knowledge-attitude-and-practice,pjmr-2018-(2),p55-59.pdf PDF 2018 admin 12 Jul, 2018 13:00 240.71 Kb 209
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