Donor Deferral Due to Low Hemoglobin-An Updated Systematic Review

Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Strangeways Research Laboratory, Worts' Causeway, Cambridge, UK; NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Donor Health and Genomics, Cambridge, UK. Systematic Review Initiative, NHS Blood and Transplant, Oxford, UK; BRC Haematology Theme and Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. Electronic address: Sheila.fisher@ndcls.ox.ac.uk. Systematic Review Initiative, NHS Blood and Transplant, Oxford, UK; BRC Haematology Theme and Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. Oxford University Medical School, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK. BRC Haematology Theme and Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester.

Transfusion medicine reviews. 2019
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PICO Summary

Population

Blood donation resulting in low haemoglobin deferral (LHD), (116 studies).

Intervention

Systematic review of factors which affect a donor's risk of LHD.

Comparison

Outcome

Meta-analysis showed a significantly greater risk of LHD in females compared with males in studies applying universal haemoglobin thresholds for males and females (OR 14.62, 95% CI [12.43, 17.19]) and in those which used sex-specific thresholds (OR 5.73, 95% CI [4.36, 7.53]). Higher rates of low haemoglobin deferral were also associated with increasing age in men, low body weight, shorter inter-donation interval, donors of Hispanic or African descent, higher ambient temperature, donors with low ferritin levels, and donation in a fixed donor centre. There was conflicting evidence on the effect of new and repeat donor status, and blood group.
Abstract
Blood donors attending a donation session may be deferred from donating blood due to a failure to meet low hemoglobin (Hb) thresholds. This costs the blood donor service and donors valuable time and resources. In addition, donors who are deferred may have more symptoms, and as a direct and/or indirect effect of their experience, return rates of donors deferred for low Hb are reduced, even in repeat donors. It is therefore vital that low Hb deferral (LHD) is minimized. The aim of this updated systematic review is to expand the evidence base for factors which affect a donor's risk of deferral due to low Hb. Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry to March 2019. Demographic data, donor history, hematological/biological factors, and the primary outcome of deferral due to low Hb were extracted. Our primary outcome was deferral due to low Hb. Analyses were descriptive and quantitative; pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained by meta-analysis using random-effects models. A total of 116 studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed a significantly greater risk of LHD in females compared with males in studies applying universal Hb thresholds for males and females (OR 14.62 95% CI 12.43-17.19) and in those which used sex-specific thresholds (OR 5.73, 95% CI 4.36-7.53). Higher rates of LHD were also associated with increasing age in men, low body weight, shorter interdonation interval, donors of Hispanic or African descent, higher ambient temperature, donors with low ferritin levels, and donation in a fixed donor center. There was conflicting evidence on the effect of new and repeat donor status, and blood group. This work has strengthened the evidence of the previous review in identifying factors that should be considered in studies of donor deferral and highlighting areas in need of further study, including ABO and Rh blood groups, previous platelet donation, diet, smoking, time of day, and genetic data. These factors may lead to individually tailored donation criteria for safe and efficient donation in the future.
Study details
Study Design : Systematic Review
Language : eng
Credits : Bibliographic data from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine