Calcium and vitamin D supplements and burnout in anesthesiologists: A national cross-sectional study from China

ObjectiveJob burnout among anesthesiologists has been consistently high. This study evaluated the association of calcium and vitamin D supplementation with burnout among Chinese anesthesiologists.MethodA cross-sectional online survey was conducted during April and May 2023. Burnout was evaluated using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which assesses emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. Data on calcium and vitamin D supplementations were self-reported. Sociodemographic information and medical history were also assessed. Binary and ordinal logistic regression were used to evaluate the risk of burnout and burnout levels, respectively. The excess risk and the attributable proportion due to interaction were examined to determine the synergistic effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementations on burnout risk.ResultsAmong the 4222 invited anesthesiologists, 3766 submitted eligible questionnaires (89% response rate). Just under half (49.8%) met the criteria for general burnout. Among anesthesiologists with burnout, 58.4% experienced emotional exhaustion, 35.8% depersonalization, and 61.2% low personal accomplishment. Anesthesiologists receiving calcium supplementation had a decreased risk of emotional exhaustion (OR = .83, 95% CI = .70-.99). Supplementation of vitamin D with or without calcium was not associated with overall burnout or any of its dimensions. No additive interaction of calcium and vitamin D on burnout was observed.ConclusionsJob burnout among anesthesiologists is of concern in China. Burnout is negatively associated with calcium supplementation but not with vitamin D. Further research is warranted to confirm the mechanism and causal relationship.