1
|
Serchen J, Hilden DR, Beachy MW. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Other Sexual and Gender Minority Health Disparities: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med 2024. [PMID: 38914001 DOI: 10.7326/m24-0636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) populations in the United States continue to experience disparities in health and health care. Discrimination in both health care and society at large negatively affects LGBTQ+ health. Although progress has been made in addressing health disparities and reducing social inequality for these populations, new challenges have emerged. There is a pressing need for physicians and other health professionals to take a stance against discriminatory policies as renewed federal and state public policy efforts increasingly impose medically unnecessary restrictions on the provision of gender-affirming care. In this position paper, the American College of Physicians (ACP) reaffirms and updates much of its long-standing policy on LGBTQ+ health to strongly support access to evidence-based, clinically indicated gender-affirming care and oppose political efforts to interfere in the patient-physician relationship. Furthermore, ACP opposes institutional and legal restrictions on undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education and training on gender-affirming care and LGBTQ+ health issues. This paper also offers policy recommendations to protect the right of all people to participate in public life free from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity or sexual orientation and encourages the deployment of inclusive, nondiscriminatory, and evidence-based blood donation policies for members of LGBTQ+ communities. Underlying these beliefs is a reaffirmed commitment to promoting equitable access to quality care for all people regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josh Serchen
- American College of Physicians, Washington, DC (J.S.)
| | | | - Micah W Beachy
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (M.W.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lambert G, Cox J, Fourmigue A, Dvorakova M, Apelian H, Moodie EEM, Grace D, Skakoon-Sparling S, Moore DM, Lachowsky N, Jollimore J, Lal A, Parlette A, Hart TA. HIV incidence and related risks among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver: Informing blood donor selection criteria in Canada. Transfusion 2022; 62:2555-2567. [PMID: 36197064 PMCID: PMC10092181 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An individualized behavior-based selection approach has potential to allow for a more equitable blood donor eligibility process. We collected biological and behavioral data from urban gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) to inform the use of this approach in Canada. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Engage is a closed prospective cohort of sexually active GBM, aged 16+ years, recruited via respondent-driven-sampling (RDS) in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada. Participants completed a questionnaire on behaviors (past 6 months) and tested for HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections at each visit. Rate ratios for HIV infection and predictive values for blood donation eligibility criteria were estimated by RDS-adjusted Poisson regression. RESULTS Data on 2008 (study visits 2017-02 to 2021-08) HIV-negative participants were used. The HIV incidence rate for the three cities was 0.4|100 person-years [95%CI:0.3, 0.6]. HIV seroconversion was associated with age <30 years: adjusted rate ratio (aRR) 9.1 [95%CI:3.2, 26.2], 6-10 and >10 anal sex partners versus 1-6 aRR: 5.3 [2.1,13.5] and 8.4 [3.4, 20.9], and use of crystal methamphetamine during sex: 4.2 [1.5, 11.6]. Applying the combined selection criteria: drug injection, ≥2 anal sex partners, and a new anal sex partner, detected all participants who seroconverted (100% sensitivity, 100% negative predictive value), and would defer 63% of study participants from donating. CONCLUSION Using three screening questions regarding drug injection and sexual behaviors in the past 6 months would correctly identify potential GBM donors at high risk of having recently contracted HIV. Doing so would reduce the proportion of deferred sexually active GBM by one-third.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Lambert
- Direction Régionale de Santé Publique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Direction Régionale de Santé Publique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alain Fourmigue
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Milada Dvorakova
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Herak Apelian
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Erica E M Moodie
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nathan Lachowsky
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jody Jollimore
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Allan Lal
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Abbie Parlette
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Park C, Gellman C, O'Brien M, Eidelberg A, Subudhi I, Gorodetsky EF, Asriel B, Furlow A, Mullen M, Nadkarni G, Somani S, Sigel K, Reich DL. Blood Donation and COVID-19: Reconsidering the 3-Month Deferral Policy for Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men. Am J Public Health 2020; 111:247-252. [PMID: 33211588 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2020.305974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In April 2020, in light of COVID-19-related blood shortages, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reduced the deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) from its previous duration of 1 year to 3 months.Although originally born out of necessity, the decades-old restrictions on MSM donors have been mitigated by significant advancements in HIV screening, treatment, and public education. The severity of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic-and the urgent need for safe blood products to respond to such crises-demands an immediate reconsideration of the 3-month deferral policy for MSM.We review historical HIV testing and transmission evidence, discuss the ethical ramifications of the current deferral period, and examine the issue of noncompliance with donor deferral rules. We also propose an eligibility screening format that involves an individual risk-based screening protocol and, unlike current FDA guidelines, does not effectively exclude donors on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Our policy proposal would allow historically marginalized community members to participate with dignity in the blood donation process without compromising blood donation and transfusion safety outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Park
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Caroline Gellman
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Madeline O'Brien
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Andrew Eidelberg
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Ipsita Subudhi
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Elizabeth F Gorodetsky
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Benjamin Asriel
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Andrew Furlow
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Michael Mullen
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Girish Nadkarni
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Sulaiman Somani
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Keith Sigel
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - David L Reich
- Christopher Park, Caroline Gellman, Madeline O'Brien, Benjamin Asriel, Andrew Furlow, Michael Mullen, Girish Nadkarni, Sulaiman Somani, Keith Sigel, and David L. Reich are with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Andrew Eidelberg is with the Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY. Ipsita Subudhi and Elizabeth F. Gorodetsky are with the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Skelly AN, Kolla L, Tamburro MK, Bar KJ. Science over stigma: the need for evidence-based blood donation policies for men who have sex with men in the USA. LANCET HAEMATOLOGY 2020; 7:e779-e782. [PMID: 33091347 PMCID: PMC7572049 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(20)30326-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin N Skelly
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Immunology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Likhitha Kolla
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Genomics and Computational Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret K Tamburro
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katharine J Bar
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vesnaver E, Goldman M, O'Brien S, MacPherson P, Butler-Foster T, Lapierre D, Otis J, Devine DV, Germain M, Rosser A, MacDonagh R, Randall T, Osbourne-Sorrell W, Clement-Thorne B, Al-Bakri TB, Rubini KA, Hill NE, Presseau J. Barriers and enablers to source plasma donation by gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men under revised eligibility criteria: protocol for a multiple stakeholder feasibility study. Health Res Policy Syst 2020; 18:131. [PMID: 33138828 PMCID: PMC7605323 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-020-00643-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Blood donation policy in Canada for gay, bisexual and other men who have had sex with men (gbMSM) has changed progressively in the last decade from indefinite deferral to 3-month deferral from last male-to-male sex. Driven by safety data and overseen by the national regulator, more inclusive policies continue to redress the disparity in donation for gbMSM. At the same time, the need for source plasma to prepare fractionated blood products is growing worldwide. The collection and processing of source plasma ensures greater safety compared to whole blood donation with respect to transfusion-transmitted infection. This greater safety offers an opportunity to evolve policies for gbMSM from time-based to behaviour-based deferral using revised eligibility criteria. However, changing policies does not in itself necessarily guarantee that gbMSM will donate or that staff in donor clinics are ready to support them to do so. In anticipation of a move to behaviour-based donation screening for gbMSM in Canada, we aim to assess the acceptability of and perceived barriers and enablers to source plasma donation using revised screening criteria for gbMSM among key stakeholders to inform policy implementation strategies. Methods This mixed-methods feasibility study will involve gbMSM and donor centre staff to understand modifiable barriers to implementing more inclusive eligibility criteria. Key informant interviews and surveys will be rooted in the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify modifiable factors associated with source plasma donation motives in gbMSM and training needs in donation centre staff. We will use an integrated knowledge translation approach involving a partnership between researchers, the national blood operator and gbMSM, situating knowledge users as key research team members to ensure their perspectives inform all aspects of the research. Discussion Our integrated knowledge translation approach will provide a more comprehensive and collaborative understanding of blood operator and gbMSM needs while accelerating the implementation of study findings. Given the historical backdrop of the decades of exclusion of sexually active gbMSM from blood donation, this study has the potential not only to inform a process and policy for gbMSM to donate source plasma, a blood product, but also offers opportunities for new relationships between these knowledge users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Vesnaver
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. .,Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Mindy Goldman
- Medical Affairs and Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sheila O'Brien
- Medical Affairs and Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Paul MacPherson
- Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Don Lapierre
- Medical Affairs and Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Joanne Otis
- Department of Sexology, Université du Québec À Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Dana V Devine
- Canadian Blood Services, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Marc Germain
- Héma-Québec, Medical Affairs, Quebec City, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Justin Presseau
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Velati C, Romanò L, Piccinini V, Marano G, Catalano L, Pupella S, Facco G, Pati I, Tosti ME, Vaglio S, Grazzini G, Zanetti A, Liumbruno GM. Prevalence, incidence and residual risk of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus after the implementation of nucleic acid testing in Italy: a 7-year (2009-2015) survey. BLOOD TRANSFUSION = TRASFUSIONE DEL SANGUE 2018; 16:422-432. [PMID: 30036178 PMCID: PMC6125236 DOI: 10.2450/2018.0069-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Italy nucleic acid testing (NAT) became mandatory for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 2002 and for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus in 2008. The aim of this study was to monitor the incidence and prevalence of HIV and HCV infections in Italian blood donors and the current residual risk of these infections after the introduction of NAT. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Italian national blood surveillance system includes data from tests used to screen for transfusion-transmissible infections. During the period of this survey (2009-2015), the NAT methods used were the transcription-mediated amplification test, for individual donor testing, and polymerase chain reaction analysis, mainly for pools of six donors. Prevalence and incidence were calculated. Three published formulae were applied to estimate the residual risk (the window period ratio model and the formulae recommended by the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organization). RESULTS Overall, 12,258,587 blood donors and 21,808,352 donations were tested for HCV and HIV. The prevalence of HCV decreased from 110.3×105 to 58.9×105 in years 2009 and 2015, respectively, while that of HIV remained stable over time (15.5×105 vs 15.4×105). The incidence of HCV decreased from 3.19×105 in 2009 to 1.58×105 in 2015, while the incidence of HIV did not show any significant fluctuations (average incidence 4.39×105). The residual risk of a viraemic unit entering the blood supply was estimated to be 0.077×106 or 1 in 12,979,949 donations for HCV and 0.521×106 or 1 in 1,917,250 for HIV, according to the window period ratio model, and lower with the other two formulae. DISCUSSION HCV infection has declined over time in both first-time and repeat donors, while the data for HIV infection are stable. All three methods employed in this study showed that the residual risk of transmitting HCV or HIV through an infected blood unit is currently very low in Italy, but there are considerable differences in estimates between methods. Thus, harmonisation of these methods is advisable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Velati
- Italian Society of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, Rome, Italy
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Romanò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Vanessa Piccinini
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marano
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Liviana Catalano
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Simonetta Pupella
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Facco
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pati
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Tosti
- National Centre for Global Health, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Vaglio
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuliano Grazzini
- Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zanetti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sturrock BRH, Mucklow S. What is the evidence for the change in the blood -donation deferral period for high-risk groups and does it go far enough? Clin Med (Lond) 2018; 18:304-307. [PMID: 30072554 PMCID: PMC6334046 DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.18-4-304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In November 2017, the deferral on blood donations from high-risk groups in Great Britain was changed to 3 months from last at-risk sexual contact following recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs. This represented a reduction from 12 months for men who have sex with men, and from a lifetime ban for sex workers. This is a step forward for equality and for reducing stigma around these groups. However, one argument for deferral is the prevalence of infections, which may not be identified due to the fallibility of current testing approaches. Clearly it is vital that the welfare of blood transfusion recipients is prioritised and they are not exposed to unacceptable risks. However, with the increasingly sophisticated technology used to screen blood, it can be argued that the evidence shows that the reduction in deferral does not go far enough.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stuart Mucklow
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Arora KS. Righting Anachronistic Exclusions: The Ethics of Blood Donation by MSM. JOURNAL OF GAY & LESBIAN SOCIAL SERVICES 2017; 29:87-90. [PMID: 29308005 PMCID: PMC5753789 DOI: 10.1080/10538720.2016.1261385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the FDA announced that it would soon lift the long-standing lifetime ban on blood donation by men who have sex with men (MSM). Re-examining blood donation by MSM, it is clear that there are several ethical goods that must be balanced. Through balancing the primary duty to safety with the imperatives to craft a policy that is formally equal, upholds the public's trust, and is non-discriminatory, an ethical blood donation deferral guideline may be advanced, both for MSM and the population at large.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Shah Arora
- Reproductive Biology and Bioethics at MetroHealth Medicine Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
De Buck E, Dieltjens T, Compernolle V, Vandekerckhove P. Is having sex with other men a risk factor for transfusion-transmissible infections in male blood donors in Western countries? A systematic review. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0122523. [PMID: 25875812 PMCID: PMC4398316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although increased prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTI) among "men who have sex with men" (MSM) has been well documented, the exclusion of MSM as blood donors is contested. The aim of this systematic review is to find studies that describe the risk of TTI in MSM blood donors. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cinahl, and Web of Science, and used GRADE for determining evidence quality. We included studies comparing MSM and non-MSM blood donors (or people eligible to give blood), living in areas most relevant for our Blood Service. RESULTS Out of 18 987 articles, 14 observational studies were included. Two studies directly compared MSM with non-MSM donors showing that MSM donors have a statistically significant higher risk of HIV-1 infections. In one of these studies it was shown that this was related to recent (< 12 months) MSM contact. In two additional studies no evidence was shown in favour of a certain deferral period for MSM. Ten studies, applying permanent deferral for MSM, compared infected versus non-infected donors. One study found that MSM is a statistically significant risk factor for HIV-1 infection in blood donors. For other TTI such as HBV or HCV, an increased risk of infection could not be demonstrated, because the precision of the results was affected by the low numbers of donors with MSM as risk factor, or because of risk of bias in the included studies. All studies included low level evidence, because of risk of bias and imprecision of the results. CONCLUSIONS High-quality studies investigating the risk of TTI in MSM who donate blood are scarce. The available evidence suggests a link between MSM blood donors and HIV-1 infection, but is too limited to be able to unambiguously/clearly recommend a certain deferral policy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmy De Buck
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Tessa Dieltjens
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Veerle Compernolle
- Blood Service, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Vandekerckhove
- Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Classic and alternative red blood cell storage strategies: seven years of "-omics" investigations. BLOOD TRANSFUSION = TRASFUSIONE DEL SANGUE 2014; 13:21-31. [PMID: 25369599 DOI: 10.2450/2014.0053-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|