Blood donation by elderly repeat blood donors

Donor complication rates in whole blood, plasma and platelet donors: Age versus experience

BACKGROUND

Many blood banks use upper age limits for donors out of concern for a higher donor complication rate in older donors. Experienced donors are known to have lower donor complication rates, and older donors are often more experienced, confounding the effect of age on donor complication rate.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied donor complication rates in whole blood, plasma, and plateletpheresis donors from 2012 to 2022. Donor complication rates were compared between age groups in inexperienced (<20th donation) and experienced (≥20th donation) donors. In addition to this direct comparison, we made use of logistic regression with finer-grained experience groups, to further quantify the effects of age, experience and other factors on donor complication rate.

RESULTS

While overall rate of vasovagal reaction was lower, rate of moderate/severe vasovagal syncope was highest in 70-79 year donors, however, only reached significance for plasma donors. Furthermore, rates of failed stab were highest in this age group. Hematoma rate showed a U-shaped pattern with regard to age, where the rate was not higher in the 70-79 year age group than in the 18-23 year age group. Pain decreased with age, however, rates were higher in the 70-79 year age group than in the 65-69 year age group.

DISCUSSION

When properly accounting for donor experience, donor complication rate profiles clearly change with age. The increased risk for moderate/severe vasovagal syncope in older donors should be clearly communicated. Extra caution is needed if these donors are accepted for first-time donations.

Quality assessment of red blood cell concentrates from blood donors at the extremes of the age spectrum: The BEST collaborative study

BACKGROUND

Blood donors at the extremes of the age spectrum (16-19 years vs. ≥75 years) are characterized by increased risks of iron deficiency and anemia, and are often underrepresented in studies evaluating the effects of donor characteristics on red blood cells (RBC) transfusion effectiveness. The aim of this study was to conduct quality assessments of RBC concentrates from these unique age groups.

STUDY DESIGN

We characterized 150 leukocyte-reduced (LR)-RBCs units from 75 teenage donors, who were matched by sex, and ethnicity with 75 older donors. LR-RBC units were manufactured at three large blood collection centers in the USA and Canada. Quality assessments included storage hemolysis, osmotic hemolysis, oxidative hemolysis, osmotic gradient ektacytometry, hematological indices, and RBC bioactivity.

RESULTS

RBC concentrates from teenage donors had smaller (9%) mean corpuscular volume and higher (5%) RBC concentration compared with older donors counterparts. Stored RBCs from teenage donors exhibited increased susceptibility to oxidative hemolysis (>2-fold) compared with RBCs from older donors. This was observed at all testing centers independent of sex, storage duration, or the type of additive solution. RBCs from teenage male donors had increased cytoplasmatic viscosity and lower hydration compared with older donor RBCs. Evaluations of RBC supernatant bioactivity suggested that donor age was not associated with altered expression of inflammatory markers (CD31, CD54, and IL-6) on endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The reported findings are likely intrinsic to RBCs and reflect age-specific changes in RBC antioxidant capacity and physical characteristics that may impact RBC survival during cold storage and after transfusion.

'Stay at home and limit contact': The impact of stay-at-home advice on the behavior of Australian donors aged 70 and over in the first year of the pandemic

BACKGROUND

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian donors aged 70 and over were advised to temporarily stop donating. The aim of this research was to understand the factors associated with some of these donors continuing to donate despite the advice, and whether adherence to the advice had negative implications for donor retention.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Survey data from 2078 donors were analyzed to understand the factors associated with donating blood during the first 6 months of the pandemic, and the impact of following stay-at-home advice during the first 6 months of the pandemic on donor return 6-12 months into the pandemic. Panel data were used to gain an overview of donation behavior before, during, and after the initial phase of the pandemic.

RESULTS

Donations by donors aged 70 and over decreased disproportionately to other age groups during the early stages of the pandemic. Sex, total donation count, awareness of stay-at-home advice from the Blood Collection Agency, the mode of receiving stay-at-home advice, donor risk perceptions and attitudes toward stay-at-home advice were associated with donation behavior in the first 6 months of the pandemic. Donors who did not donate in the first 6 months of the pandemic had lower odds of returning 6-12 months into the pandemic.

CONCLUSION

Stay-at-home advice was partially successful in preventing older donors from donating; however, more tailored communication approaches may have prevented more donors from donating. Implementation of stay-at-home advice should be accompanied by strategies to prevent ongoing donor lapse in the medium- to long-term.

The contribution and potential of older blood donors in Asia Pacific regions

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the blood supply contribution of older donors in five Asia Pacific regions.

BACKGROUND

Older people are often the largest blood user group. Thus, as the population ages blood supply needs increase. Minimum and maximum donation age criteria potentially constrain the size of the donor pool.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Haemoglobin values and demographic frequency analytics (sex, age and blood type) were analysed on blood donors aged 60 years or more, from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea over 12 months.

RESULTS

Data on  434357 donations was analysed. ABO Rh(D) frequencies of older donors matched that of national frequencies. Older donors were a disproportionately smaller proportion of the total donor pool for each country. Indonesia was the only region with no maximum age limit. Median haemoglobin for older males ranged from 14.2 to 14.8 g/dl and for females 13.1 to 13.9 g/dl. The frequency of female donors was between 15% and 33% of older donors. Older donors had higher donation frequency and lower deferral rates.

CONCLUSION

Older donors are loyal and regular donors but under-represented in all regions studied. They could help meet future blood supply needs, especially post-menopausal female donors. Studies including ferritin levels are needed to determine if upper age limits can be safely modified.

Frequency of ABO and Rh Blood Group Distribution at Debre Tabor Blood Bank, Amhara Region, North-Central Ethiopia. A Six-Year Retrospective Survey

Introduction

Blood is arranged into four groups based on their surface antigen (A, B, AB, and O). In addition to this classification based on the Rhesus factor, each blood group clustered into RH positive and RH negative. This study was done to identify the distribution of blood group and rhesus factors on the local blood bank.

Objective

To identify the frequency of ABO blood group and RH factors distribution on voluntary blood donator at Debre Tabor blood bank from May 2014 to May 2020.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify the frequency of ABO and Rh factor distribution on voluntary blood donors at Debre Tabor town blood bank. The data was collected at Debre Tabor blood bank. A six-year data and a total of 19,901 bags collected blood samples were used for summarization of the data. The data was analysed by using SPSS version 21.

Results

Blood group "O" was the dominated one with 39.6% followed by blood group "A", "B" and "AB" with 29.48%, 24.06%, and 6.7%, respectively. When we see the RH classifications, RH positive accounts the highest percentage 92.77% and the remaining 7.23% was Rh negatives.

Conclusion

In this survey, the majority of blood groups were found "O" followed by "A", "B", and "AB". Among the collected blood unities, 92.77% was RH positive. The leading blood donators were male.

Return rate in blood donors: A 7-year follow up

OBJECTIVE

Determining the current return rates of blood donors and their related factors.

BACKGROUND

Understanding the current pattern of blood donors' return rates and also their motivations will be beneficial when there is a need to implement measures to encourage new blood donors and retain existing ones.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4200 blood donors in Shiraz, Iran, from 26 November 2010 to 26 December 2010. Blood donors' return rate and its related factors were investigated in a 7-year follow up.

RESULTS

The overall return rates of blood donors indicated a significant yearly decline of 51.2%, 45.1%, 37.6%, 38.8%, 28.7%, 22.7% and 22.1% over a 7-year follow up. The return rates for first-time donors declined annually by 30%, 25%, 21%, 18.5%, 15.2%,12.3% and 11.8% (P ≤ .05). Return rates were higher among male, older, low-educated, Rh-negative and regular donors. Blood donations for altruistic reasons and religious reasons were higher in regular and older donors (P < .001); donation for positive effects on their health and free access to screening tests and curiosity was higher in first-time donors and females (P < .001). The most frequent deterrents were lack of time (42.7%), unsuitable condition (37.6%) and difficult access to donation sites (26.2%).

CONCLUSION

Designing new strategies to retain donors, advertisement, appreciation methods and providing convenient conditions for donation are needed to increase the return rates, particularly in young, highly educated, female and first-time donors.

Profile of blood donors who presented adverse reactions to the donation

OBJECTIVE

identify the adverse reactions presented by blood donors and outline their sociodemographic profile.

METHOD

a quantitative, cross-sectional retrospective study of 780 records of blood donors from a public hemocenter in the southern region of Brazil, from December 2015 to January 2016. For the analysis the descriptive statistics was used.

RESULTS

it was identified that throughout 12 months, the total blood donors corresponded to 27,300 people, in which 780 developed at least one reaction. They were characterized by female and recurrent donors, single, with a complete average level of education, ranging from 16 to 30 years, who triggered between 1 and 3 reactions. Mild reactions were more frequent, followed by moderate and severe reactions.

CONCLUSION

There is a high rate of adverse reactions from donors emphasizing the need for changes in hemotherapy care practices.

Safety of blood donation by individuals over age 70 and their contribution to the blood supply in five developed countries: a BEST Collaborative group study

BACKGROUND

Some countries impose an upper age limit on whole blood and double RBC donation while others do not. We evaluated the safety of blood donation in older individuals (≥71 years), and their contribution to the blood supply of five countries.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Twelve blood center members of the Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion (BEST) Collaborative from four countries with no upper age limit for whole blood and double RBC donation (Canada, New Zealand, England, and the United States) or an upper age limit of 80 (Australia) provided 2016 data on donors and donations, deferral rates, and vasovagal reactions by donor age and sex. Donors under age 24 were included in the number of total donors and donations, but not in deferral and reaction rate comparisons.

RESULTS

Older donors accounted for 1.0% (New Zealand) to 4.3% (United States) of donors, and 1.5% (New Zealand) to 5.6% (United States) of donations; most were between ages 71 and 76. The deferral rate was higher in older compared to 24- to 70-year-old males, but very similar between older and younger females. In contrast, vasovagal reaction rates were either lower (male donors) or similar (female donor for reactions with loss of consciousness) in older compared to 24- to 70-year-old donors.

CONCLUSIONS

Exclusion solely based on older age appears to be unwarranted based on safety concerns such as donor reactions. Healthy older individuals can continue to safely donate and make a significant contribution to the blood supply past arbitrary age limits.

Changes in the Whole Blood Donor Population in South-West Germany: 2010 versus 2016

BACKGROUND

In the recent past, the discrepancy between blood supply and future demand may have been overestimated. As medical progress develops rapidly, it will be essential to monitor ongoing demographic changes in the donor population regularly and to re-evaluate retention and recruiting strategies. The aim of the current study was to compare first-time donor (FTD) characteristics and their return rates. We therefore compared whole blood (WB) donations in total and the annual donation frequencies in 2010 and in 2015/2016. Furthermore, we evaluated whether over the same observation period, medical reasons for deferral underwent a change (2010 vs. 2015).

METHODS

The return probability of FTD within 12 months was analysed in 2010 and 2015 with respect to successful donation versus deferral and with regard to age. The total number of WB donations was investigated, and age distribution was compared between 2010, 2013 and 2016. WB donation frequencies were calculated with respect to age and gender in 2010 and 2016. In a second analysis, medical reasons for deferral were differentiated into 14 categories and a possible impact of time (2010 vs. 2015) on the respective percentage was studied.

RESULTS

We observed a significant decline of the FTD return rate from 42.5% to 38.8% in donors that successfully donated WB while the rate remained unchanged in deferred FTD. At the same time the mean FTD age decreased from 29.1 ± 11.6 to 28.5 ± 11.7 years in 2016. Analysis of total WB donations revealed an increase of all donations from donors ≥60 years, a constant percentage from donors <30 years but a declining proportion of donors aged 30-59 years from 2010 to 2013 to 2016. In parallel, annual mean WB donation frequencies decreased over time. Deferrals due to travel history increased significantly from 2010 to 2015 both in FTD and repeat donors.

CONCLUSION

There is ongoing demographic change in our WB donor population. Our data prove a need for a re-evaluation of retention and recruitment strategies since previous marketing campaigns seem to have neglected the age group 30-59 years. This must be addressed in further studies as this age group will be highly relevant for assuring future blood supplies since donor recruitment from adolescents will be limited due to declining birth rates. Furthermore, deferral due to travel history is increasing significantly. Thus we will require further studies on the possible impact on donor retention.

Knowledge and Beliefs About Biospecimen Research Among Chinese Older Women in Chicago's Chinatown

BACKGROUND

Enhancing the participation of Chinese older women in biobanking efforts is important for precision medicine efforts, as underrepresented groups risk benefiting less than others from medical advancements in individualized therapies. Focusing on a sample of Chinese older women in Chicago's Chinatown, this qualitative study seeks to describe attitudes toward, and barriers and facilitators of, participation in biospecimen research.

METHOD

We conducted six focus groups among Chinese-speaking adult women age 45 and above. Focus groups were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for emergent themes.

RESULTS

Forty-seven women participated in focus groups, the majority (66.0%) were age 66 and over and half (50.1%) had less than a high school education. Participants expressed predominantly positive attitudes toward biospecimen research, but also identified multifaceted barriers to participation that included cultural beliefs of the body, perceived physical and privacy risks, as well as perceptions related to aging. Use of minimally invasive biospecimen collection and education to promote awareness of biospecimen research were suggested facilitators to increasing biospecimen research participation.

CONCLUSIONS

Culturally and linguistically isolated populations like Chinese older women are at risk of exclusion from advancements in precision medicine. Our findings provide cultural insights for tailoring interventions for Chinese older women to increase knowledge, change attitudes, and increase intention and participation in biospecimen research. We also highlight the need for individual, family, and community level interventions to promote healthy aging among Chinese older women.

Donation frequency and its association with demographic characteristics--a 1-year observational study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to enhance the understanding of frequent blood donors' characteristics and devise strategies to achieve an optimal blood inventory.

BACKGROUND

Apart from donor recruitment and retention, an effective way to increase blood supply is to increase the donation frequency among donors. Understanding the characteristics of frequent donors will be helpful to impact their future donation pattern, which would in turn achieve a stable and adequate blood inventory to meet the changing demands of the society.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Demographic information of blood donors for each donation in Hong Kong (HK) was routinely collected and stored in the database of Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service. Logistic regression models (by gender group) with interaction effects were constructed to analyse the differences in the likelihood of being frequent donors and the associations with their demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 158,666 blood donors in 2010 gave 227,634 donations during the study. In general, male donors were more likely to be frequent donors. Logistic regression models further identified the characteristics of frequent donors in HK: older, blood type Rh D-ve and repeat donors, although their extent of impact was different for different gender group.

CONCLUSION

To achieve an optimal blood inventory to meet the challenge of ageing in the society, donors who donate less often should be targeted to increase their donation frequency. More efforts in promotion should be made to recruit those non-donors to join the blood donation pool and motivate 'targeted' existing donors in the population to participate blood donation more regularly.

Donor vigilance data of a blood transfusion service: A multicenter analysis

BACKGROUND

Donor vigilance is an important part of the quality management system of blood transfusion services. The evaluation of donor side effects helps to improve the donation process and donor compliance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate donor vigilance data in whole blood and plasmapheresis donors of a blood donor service.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Donors fulfilling current national and European eligibility criteria underwent whole blood and plasmapheresis donation (PCS and MCS+ (Haemonetics, Braintree, USA), A 200 (Fenwal, Round Lake, USA). Whole blood was collected at fixed and mobile sites while plasmaphereses were performed at 8 plasma centers. From 2011 to 2013 donor information was provided for gender, age, body weight, height, first and repeat donation. Donors were monitored for venipuncture and circulatory associated side effects.

RESULTS

The total incidences of adverse events were 5004 (0.56%) in repeat donors and 2111 (2.78%) in first time donors for whole blood donation and 3323 (1.01%) and 514 (7.96%) for plasmaphereses, respectively. Circulatory associated events were 2679 (0.30%) for whole blood donation and 1624 (0.49%) for plasmaphereses.

CONCLUSION

Our donor vigilance data of a blood transfusion service show that whole blood and plasmapheresis are safe with low incidences of adverse events. Repeat donation and age are predictors for low rates of adverse events. On the other hand, first time donation and female gender were associated with higher incidences of adverse events.