1.
Evaluation of efficacy of Valsalva for attenuating needle puncture pain in first time nonremunerated voluntary plateletpheresis donors: A prospective, randomized controlled trial
Srivastava A, Kumar S, Agarwal A, Khetan D, Katharia R, Mishra P, Khati S, Gautam S, Sandeep K
Asian journal of transfusion science. 2021;15(1):68-74
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plateletpheresis is generally safe but may have adverse reactions. Adverse reactions can negatively influence donor recruitment and retention. Valsalva is a proven method of attenuating pain caused by venipuncture. AIMS The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the Valsalva maneuver on the attenuation of needle pain and donor anxiety. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted between November 2015 and April 2016 at the Department of Transfusion Medicine. SUBJECTS AND METHODS One-hundred and sixty consecutive donors were grouped into control group (C) and Valsalva group (V) each of sample size 80. The Valsalva group performed a Valsalva maneuver and control did nothing before the venipuncture. Anxiety and pain were scored using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). Severity was graded as VAS = 0 defines no pain and anxiety, VAS = 1-3 as mild pain and anxiety, VAS = 4-6 as moderate pain and anxiety, VAS = 7-9 as severe pain and anxiety, whereas VAS = 10 denotes extreme pain and anxiety. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 23 was used for analysis. Independent samples t-test/Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare between treatment and control group, whereas the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test the difference between pre- and postobservations. RESULTS In the Valsalva group, post-Valsalva anxiety levels were significantly reduced to (1 [0-2]) from their pre-Valsalva values of (2 [0-3]); (P < 0.001). Pain was significantly lower (2[1-2]) in Valsalva group compared to control (4[2-5]); (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Valsalva reduced both severity of venipuncture pain and anxiety. Valsalva can be performed by donors as it is an easy, painless, and nonpharmacological method of pain and anxiety attenuation.
2.
A randomized control study to evaluate effects of short-term oral iron supplementation in regular voluntary blood donors
Dara RC, Marwaha N, Khetan D, Patidar GK
Indian Journal of Hematology & Blood Transfusion : an Official Journal of Indian Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. 2016;32((3)):299-306.
Abstract
Regular blood donation can lead to iron deficiency anaemia. Early recognition and reversal of excessive iron loss by iron supplementation may avoid symptomatic iron store depletion in blood donors. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of iron supplementation in maintaining the iron stores of voluntary blood donors. A total of 200 regular volunteers who donated twice in previous year were randomly divided into two groups. Iron: oral iron supplementation tablets of elemental iron as ferrous fumarate. Placebo group: glucose containing capsules, to be taken once daily for 21 days after one unit of blood donation. Their hemogram, serum ferritin, red cell indices and red cell distribution width were determined at baseline and after 1 month and at the time of next blood donation. Out of 200 volunteers enrolled 98 were assigned to iron group and rest 102 into placebo group. Total of 37 % donors dropped out, yielding a dropout rate of 35 % in iron group and 39 % in the placebo group. The haemoglobin and ferritin levels showed significant improvement in iron group compared to placebo group (p < 0.05). Three weeks of oral iron therapy (98.6 mg elemental iron/day) was able to maintain iron stores at 1 month after donation but was not sufficient to sustain the iron stores over a period of 3 months. Thus there is need to evaluate increased dosage or duration of iron supplementation in maintaining the iron stores.
3.
Role of iron supplementation in prevention of iron deficiency in regular blood donors: randomised, placebo controlled study
Dara R, Khetan D, Marwaha N
Vox Sanguinis. 2013;105((S1):):122.. Abstract No. P-167.