Novel, Nanoparticle Based Liquid Oral Formulation of Vitamin D3 for Managing Vitamin-D Deficiency: a Survey of Doctor's Preferences and Practices in India

Objective: To understand the overall opinion of Orthopedicians on their perceptions, practices and preferences regarding a nano-droplet formulation of vitamin-D₃. (Arachitol-NANO^TM).

Design&Setting: Survey study conducted in 81 locations across India.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study conducted across India, in both rural and urban regions spanning 81 locations. A total of 205 practicing orthopedicians were included in this survey. Data was compiled and analyzed from the responses received for a 10 item survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to capture the perceptions, practices and preferences of Orthopedicians, based on their clinical experience with at least 25 patients with vitamin D deficiency, managed with Arachitol Nano.

Results: 77.77% doctors' responses suggested that Vitamin D Deficiency was present in more than 50% patients attending the clinics. From an orthopedician's clinical practice perspective, the most common age group affected by Vitamin D Deficiency was adults and elderly(87.91% responses). Approximately 60% responses received, favored a 'single-dose oral liquid formulation' of vitamin-D as the most convenient dosage format for the treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency. Responses from almost all the doctors (99.51%) suggested that the use of nanoparticles technology in vitamin D₃ formulations could improve absorption of vitamin-D. While 67.53% of the doctors' responses recommended the use of Nano formulation for all patients with Vitamin D deficiency, the rest of the responses suggested its use in specific patient profiles of vitamin D deficiency. Approximately 99% of the responses received, rated the clinical experience with the nano droplet formulation to be good to excellent, both in terms of efficacy and tolerability. The responses also suggested that the nano droplet formulation is both, a convenient and an accepted format by the patient, reflected by the fact that more than 99.5% of the doctors' responses suggested it to be beneficial in their patients.

Conclusions: The study results reflect that Arachitol Nano has the acceptance of both doctors and patients as well, which is reiterated in the overwhelming number of responses from orthopedicians suggesting that Arachitol Nano would be beneficial for their patients with Vitamin D deficiency.