Showing papers by "Michael Müller-Steinhardt published in 2012"

Safety and frequency of whole blood donations from elderly donors

Abstract: Background Within the coming decades, a steadily growing demand for blood products will face a shrinking blood donor population in many countries. After increasing the donor age of repeat donors for whole blood donation (WB) from 68 to 70 years in 2009 in our Blood Service, we investigated whether this is sufficient as a safe and effective strategy to sustain future blood supply. Materials and Methods Between 1 March 2009 and 28 February 2011, WB donations from donors aged between 69 and 70 and their proportion of total donations in 2010 were determined. We analysed adverse reaction rates in donors with respect to sex and age and calculated mean annual donation frequencies. Results Of all invited donors, 32·5% responded and contributed 0·98% (men) and 0·56% (women) to all WB units collected in 2010. The overall and systemic adverse reaction rate per 1·000 WB donations declined by age [men: 1·10 (95%CI: 0·84–1·35) vs. 0 (0–0·8), P < 0·0001; 0·99 (0·75–1·23) vs. 0 (0–0·8), P < 0·0001 and women: 1·80 (1·46–2·14) vs. 1·12 (0·1–2·66), P < 0·0001; 1·47 (1·17–1·78) vs. 1·12 (−0·43–2·66), P = 0·0004]. Mean donation frequencies were strongly correlated with increasing age (men: r = 0·953, P < 0·0001; women: r = 0·913, P < 0·0001) with peak values for 70-year-old male: 2·53 ± 1·37 vs. 1·79 ± 1·05, P < 0·0001 and female donors: 2·15 ± 1·06 vs. 1·52 ± 0·78, P < 0·0001. Conclusions Elderly donors have very low adverse reaction frequencies and are highly committed to donate blood. Thus, we consider donations from repeat donors aged 69–70 safe and suggest it a powerful short- to midterm strategy to, at least partially, overcome the challenges of the demographic change.

Donor deferral rates after the implementation of a new German blood donor questionnaire

Abstract: Background: The implementation of a new national German blood donor questionnaire was proposed to improve donor and recipient safety. Methods: We compared deferral/exclusion rates of whole blood donors before (May 2010, n = 64,735) and after (May 2011, n = 71,687) the implementation of a new blood donor questionnaire. Considering seasonal variations, analysis was performed with respect to collection site (mobile vs. fixed), sex, donor status (first-time vs. repeat), age, and the frequencies of sexual risk behavior and other reasons for deferral. Results: We observed a statistically significant increase (p Conclusions: The new blood donor questionnaire resulted in an increased deferral/exclusion of all donor groups. Thus the impact on future blood supply must be considered carefully, and long-term studies and investigation of donor acceptance will be needed.

Characteristics of Lapsed German Whole Blood Donors and Barriers to Return Four Years after the Initial Donation.

Abstract: Background: The aim of the study was to identify characteristics of lapsed donors 4 years the initial donation as well as self-reported barriers to return for further blood donations. Methods: A random number of 8,000 blood donors, donating for the German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Wurttemberg – Hessen, were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire. The response rate was 38.5%. Donors were categorized as ‘lapsed’ if they had not donated within the last 24 months. The odds of being a lapsed donor were determined in a multivariate logistic regression. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that lapsed donors were more likely to be female, between 26 and 33 years old, not employed, have moved, and were dissatisfied with the last donation experience. Furthermore, lapsed donors were less likely to have family members or friends who also donate blood. Medical reasons and having moved to another city were the most frequently named reasons preventing lapsed donors from continuing to donate blood. Conclusion: The importance of medical reasons and having moved was rated much higher than in previous studies. We conclude that barriers to return may vary considerably between countries and blood services. Therefore, donor surveys are required to guide reactivation campaigns.