Whole blood donor deferral rate and characteristics of the Turkish population

Abstract

Whole blood (WB) donors are deferred for several reasons, either permanently or temporarily. In this retrospective study, we quantified the rate of and reasons for donor deferral among Turkish donors. Computer records of the last 5 years were analysed to quantify the deferral rate and reasons. Deferrals were categorized as temporary short-term (1-56 days), long-term (57-365 days) and multiple years or permanent (more than 365 days). Deferred donors were also analysed according to gender, age and education level. A total of 95 317 persons were admitted for WB donation: 89.1% of them were male donors and 59.9% were in the 30 to 49-year old age category. Rates of deferral for temporary short-term, long-term, permanent or for unknown reasons were 66, 22.5, 10 and 1.5% respectively. Female donors were deferred more frequently than male donors (25.8 vs. 13.3%, P<or= 0.0001). The deferral rates were significantly different among the different age groups (P < 0.0001). Donor education level had no effect on the deferral rates (P > 0.05). The main reason for deferral was common cold and/or sore throat or elevated temperature (20.4%) in male donors and low haemoglobin (51.6%) in female donors. Although the three uppermost reasons for deferral in women were identical for all age categories, these varied in the male group (high-risk sex partner for the younger group vs. hypertension and low haemoglobin for the older group). Although permanent and temporary deferral rates are similar between the Turkish population and western countries, leading causes vary widely.

Evaluation of blood donor deferral causes in a tertiary hospital, South India

“…A similar rate have been found in study by Rehman et al with temporary (63.73%) and permanent (36.3%) [9]. Whereas Arslan et al have reported a rate of 10% and 90% among permanent and temporary deferrals respectively [10]. The Leading cause of permanent deferral was hypertension 30.3%.…”

The Evaluation of Blood Donor Deferral Causes: A Tertiary Care CentrebasedStudy

“…Our findings (36.3%) were much higher than Custer et al [7] who reported a permanent deferral rate of 10.6% and Arslan [9] who reported a rate of 10%. This high frequency was due to the inclusion of transfusion transmissible infection in our study especially Hepatitis B infection (HBV) which was not studied thoroughly in the above mentioned publications.…”

“…In a European study conducted by Lawson-Ayayi and Salmi [8], 10.8% of donors were deferred. Arslan [9] reported a donor deferral rate of 14.6% in Turkish donors. Lim et al [10] reported a deferral rate of 14.4% in Singapore (Asia) and Bahadur et al [4] reported 9% in Delhi (India).…”

“…The study done by Arslan [9] in Turkish donors showed low hemoglobin as the most common cause of deferral in 20.7% of overall deferral. The findings in our study were very much similar to these studies.…”

Pre Donation Deferral a Single Centre Experience

“…Majority of the donors i.e., 91.6% in our study were males and female donors were only 8.4%, Chaudary et al [3] and Arslan [7] found similar differences in male and female donation trends which may be due to hesitation in society towards female donation. There is still huge difference between number of males and females turning up for donation.…”