[Feasibility of following up transfused patients].
The aim of this study was to assess the natural history of patients after transfusion and the acceptability of a standardized biological follow-up. In 1995, during 1 month, in 13 French hospitals, a follow-up at 3 and 6 months after blood transfusion was proposed to all blood recipients who had not received any blood transfusion within the past 6 months (eligible patients): screening for red cell antibodies, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and specific viral markers of hepatitis B (hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis virus core antigen), of hepatitis C (antibodies) and of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (antibodies). At the beginning of the study, 296 patients were followed for 6 months. A complete follow-up was available at 3 months for 183 patients (62%), at 6 months for 168 (57%) and after 6 months, 198 patients (67%) have been once followed. Of eligible patients, 76% were alive at six months. After transfusion, the incidence of red cell alloantibodies and elevated ALT concentration were respectively 4% and 17%. At 6 months, one patient had Hepatitis B surface antigen; the responsibility of blood transfusion was excluded. Within the first 24 hours, 68 patients (23%) required another blood transfusion and 42% of units were transfused to patients with malignant disease. Our study quantifies in real conditions the difficulty of a biological follow-up in a transfused population, mostly composed of patients that could not be followed in the hospital where they were transfused.
Mathoulin-Pélissier
S
S
Centre national d'hémovigilance, Institut de santé publique d'épidémiologie et de développement, Bordeaux, France.
Vicariot
M
M
Courtois
F
F
Waller
C
C
Gross
S
S
Verret
C
C
Saves
M
M
Eghbali
H
H
Salmi
L R
LR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D000410:Alanine Transaminase