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.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may have a direct effect on several endocrine glands, including the thyroid. 1 SARS-CoV-2 enters cells using the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor, expressed by the thyroid. 2 Prior literature reported low levels of triiodothyronine (TT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in adult patients with COVID-19. 3 However, levels of TSH in children during the pandemic are unknown. Wang et al., evaluated thyroid function in 96 hospitalized adults with COVID-19 3;levels of TSH were significantly lower than those of healthy controls. 3 Levels of TSH increased gradually within 2 months after hospitalization. 3 Similarly, Chen et al. reported TSH levels lower than the normal range in 28 of 50 (56%) adult patients with COVID-19. 5 It is unknown what caused the observed pattern and/or how significant it was. TSH levels may also differ according to ethnicity and race;discrepancies may exist between Asian, White, Black, and Hispanics. [...]this finding may only reflect one specific community representation, and may not apply to non-White children.
ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated in the development of reactive arthritis (ReA) days to weeks following exposure or infection. We present a case of ReA with enthesitis and subsequent silent thyroiditis in a patient following infection with SARS-CoV-2, along with a review of the published cases of SARS-CoV-2-related ReA.