Abstract
Background: Acute non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (ANHTRs) and the decrease in young blood donors are two major issues of transfusion medicine in Japan. Many factors are associated with ANHTRs, some derived from donors, and others from recipients. In proportion to the decrease in younger donors, middle-and older- aged donors have relatively increased. With age, atherosclerotic risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidemia increase. Several reports have suggested that a reduction in body iron by blood donation may be beneficial in preventing atherosclerosis. However, the question of whether atherosclerotic risk factors of donors are associated with ANHTRs has not been examined.
Methods: Atherosclerotic risk factors and related laboratory data were compared between donors associated with ANHTRs (T group) and normal donors (C group).
Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender ratio, body mass index, blood pressure, or lipids between the two groups. However, average WBC count and total protein were significantly higher in the T group than in the C group. Although the difference was not significant, T group donors with C-reactive protein (CRP) >0.1mg/dl tended to be associated with dyspnea more than with other types of ANHTRs.
Conclusion: There were no differences between the T and the C groups for age, blood pressure or HDL cholesterol. Although higher WBC count in the T group and an apparent association between CRP and ANHTR type were observed, further investigation is necessary for confirmation.
