M D Hoogerwerf1,2,3, I J T Veldhuizen2, M P Tarvainen4,5, E-M Merz1,6, E M J Huis In 't Veld1, W L A M de Kort1,2,7, J K Sluiter3, M H W Frings-Dresen3. 1. Department Donor Studies, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. 5. Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. 6. Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 7. Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Donating blood is associated with increased psychological stress. This study investigates whether a blood donation induces physiological stress and if response patterns differ by gender, donation experience and non-acute stress. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 372 donors, physiological stress [blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse rate variability (PRV)] was measured at seven moments during routine donation. PRV was assessed using time domain [root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD)] and frequency domain [high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) power] parameters. Non-acute stress was assessed by questionnaire. Shape and significance of time course patterns were assessed by fitting multilevel models for each stress measure and comparing men and women, first-time and experienced donors, and donors with high and low levels of non-acute stress. RESULTS: Significant response patterns were found for all stress measures, where levels of systolic blood pressure (F(1,1315) = 24·2, P < 0·001), RMSSD (F(1,1315) = 24·2, P < 0·001), LF (F(1,1627) = 14·1, P < 0·001) and HF (F(1,1624) = 34·0, P < 0·001) increased towards needle insertion and then decreased to values lower than when arriving at the donation centre. Diastolic blood pressure (F(1,1326) = 50·9, P < 0·001) increased and pulse rate (F(1,1393) = 507·4, P < 0·001) showed a U-shaped curve. Significant group effects were found, that is, higher systolic blood pressure/pulse rate in women; higher pulse rate in first-time donors; higher RMSSD at arrival and from screening until leaving in first-time donors; and higher LF and HF in first-time donors. CONCLUSION: This study shows an increase in physiological stress related to needle insertion, followed by a decrease when leaving the donation centre. Some group effects were also found.
BACKGROUND: Donating blood is associated with increased psychological stress. This study investigates whether a blood donation induces physiological stress and if response patterns differ by gender, donation experience and non-acute stress. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 372 donors, physiological stress [blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse rate variability (PRV)] was measured at seven moments during routine donation. PRV was assessed using time domain [root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD)] and frequency domain [high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) power] parameters. Non-acute stress was assessed by questionnaire. Shape and significance of time course patterns were assessed by fitting multilevel models for each stress measure and comparing men and women, first-time and experienced donors, and donors with high and low levels of non-acute stress. RESULTS: Significant response patterns were found for all stress measures, where levels of systolic blood pressure (F(1,1315) = 24·2, P < 0·001), RMSSD (F(1,1315) = 24·2, P < 0·001), LF (F(1,1627) = 14·1, P < 0·001) and HF (F(1,1624) = 34·0, P < 0·001) increased towards needle insertion and then decreased to values lower than when arriving at the donation centre. Diastolic blood pressure (F(1,1326) = 50·9, P < 0·001) increased and pulse rate (F(1,1393) = 507·4, P < 0·001) showed a U-shaped curve. Significant group effects were found, that is, higher systolic blood pressure/pulse rate in women; higher pulse rate in first-time donors; higher RMSSD at arrival and from screening until leaving in first-time donors; and higher LF and HF in first-time donors. CONCLUSION: This study shows an increase in physiological stress related to needle insertion, followed by a decrease when leaving the donation centre. Some group effects were also found.
Authors: Judita Rudokaite; Lee-Ling Sharon Ong; Mart P Janssen; Eric Postma; Elisabeth Huis In 't Veld Journal: Transfusion Date: 2022-02-21 Impact factor: 3.337