Blood donation and blood transfusion in Spain (1997 - 2007): the effects of demographic changes and universal leucoreduction.
OBJECTIVE
As epidemiological information is useful in planning the provision and assessing the efficiency of product use, we reviewed Spanish data on population, blood donation and blood component transfusion from 1997 to 2007, and the possible effect of universal leucoreduction.


METHODS
Data on the Spanish population were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics, whereas data on blood donation and blood component transfusion were acquired from the Spanish Ministry of Health.


RESULTS
During the study period, the Spanish population increased by 5.6 million persons (14.4%), and blood donation by 28.1%, although the amount of red blood cells (RBC) obtained increased by only 21.5% whereas RBC transfusions increased by 28.3%. The RBC transfusion rate was significantly higher after the implementation of universal leucoreduction (2002 - 2006) than during the pre-leucoreduction period (1997 - 2001) (difference = 2.54 units/1,000 population/year; 95%CI 1.81 - 3.27; P<0.001). We also observed statistical ly, but not clinically, significant differences for platelet and plasma transfusions.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase observed in the RBC transfusion index after implementation of universal leucoreduction may have been due to a reduction of the haemoglobin content in the RBC units. Our data on blood use do, therefore, seem to add to the case against universal leucoreduction, which has led to an incremental cost for unknown, but probably slight, benefits for patients.
García-Erce
José Antonio
JA
Department of Haematology, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Paseo Isabel La Católica, Zaragoza, Spain. joseerce@vodafone.es
Campos
Arturo
A
Muñoz
Manuel
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D003710:Demography; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D047589:Leukocyte Reduction Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D013030:Spain
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