Thomas Zeiler1, Jutta Lander-Kox1, Timo Alt2. 1. DRK-Blutspendedienst West gGmbH, Zentrum für Transfusionsmedizin Breitscheid, Ratingen, Germany. 2. DRK-Blutspendedienst West gGmbH, Zentrum für Transfusionsmedizin Bad Kreuznach, Bad Kreuznach, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Upper age limits for blood donors are intended to protect elderly blood donors from donor reactions. However, due to a lack of data about adverse reactions in elderly blood donors, upper age limits are arbitrary and vary considerably between different countries. METHODS: Here we present data from 171,231 voluntary repeat whole blood donors beyond the age of 68 years. RESULTS: Blood donations from repeat blood donors beyond the age of 68 years increased from 2,114 in 2005 to 38,432 in 2012 (from 0,2% to 4.2% of all whole blood donations). Adverse donor reactions in repeat donors decreased with age and were lower than in the whole group (0.26%), even in donors older than 71 years (0.16%). However, from the age of 68 years, the time to complete recovery after donor reactions increased. Donor deferrals were highest in young blood donors (21.4%), but increased again in elderly blood donors beyond 71 years (12.6%). CONCLUSION: Blood donation by regular repeat blood donors older than 71 years may be safely continued. However, due to a lack of data for donors older than 75 years, blood donation in these donors should be handled with great caution.
BACKGROUND: Upper age limits for blood donors are intended to protect elderly blood donors from donor reactions. However, due to a lack of data about adverse reactions in elderly blood donors, upper age limits are arbitrary and vary considerably between different countries. METHODS: Here we present data from 171,231 voluntary repeat whole blood donors beyond the age of 68 years. RESULTS: Blood donations from repeat blood donors beyond the age of 68 years increased from 2,114 in 2005 to 38,432 in 2012 (from 0,2% to 4.2% of all whole blood donations). Adverse donor reactions in repeat donors decreased with age and were lower than in the whole group (0.26%), even in donors older than 71 years (0.16%). However, from the age of 68 years, the time to complete recovery after donor reactions increased. Donor deferrals were highest in young blood donors (21.4%), but increased again in elderly blood donors beyond 71 years (12.6%). CONCLUSION: Blood donation by regular repeat blood donors older than 71 years may be safely continued. However, due to a lack of data for donors older than 75 years, blood donation in these donors should be handled with great caution.
Authors: Sip Dinkla; Malou Peppelman; Jori Van Der Raadt; Femke Atsma; Vera M J Novotný; Marian G J Van Kraaij; Irma Joosten; Giel J C G M Bosman Journal: Blood Transfus Date: 2013-10-03 Impact factor: 3.443