[Appearance of anti-red blood cell antibodies in 80 years old and over transfused patients: result of 3 years haemovigilance survey].
OBJECTIVE
Today most transfusions are given to people over 70. In order to evaluate the production and the circumstances of the appearance of red blood cells (RBC) allo-antibodies (Ab), a three-year study was performed in transfused patients aged 80 and over.


METHODS
Based on the Adverse Event Reports (AER) on RBC Ab from 2007 to 2009 in the Rhône-Alpes area, the prevalence and specificity of the RBC Ab, the type of blood component involved, the imputability and the previous transfusion and obstetrical history were studied.


RESULTS
Of 2,169 AER, 240 (11.1%) related to the appearance of RBC Ab; they included 150 females (F) patients (62.5%) and 90 males (M) (37.5%). The Rhesus (RH) blood group was most involved (75 AER) and anti-E was the most frequent Ab (52 cases; 69.3%). Packed RBC were predominantly involved (233 cases; 97,1%). Absolute imputability could be established in 120 cases only (50.0%). Previous transfusion history was observed in 85 F patients (56.7%) and 52M (57.8%). Pretransfusion Ab was noted in 18 F patients (12.0%) and five M (5.6%). Seventy-three F patients (48.7%) had had a pregnancy but the number of unknown data was high (71 F patients; 47.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
In the transfused patient population aged 80 and over, RBC Ab are common and in most cases are due to RBC transfusions. On the contrary, pretransfusion RBC Ab are not frequent.
Service d'hémovigilance, établissement français du sang Rhône-Alpes, site de Lyon Gerland, 1-3, rue du Vercors, 69364 Lyon cedex 07, France. pierre.moncharmont@efs.sante.fr
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Moncharmont
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Meyer
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D000906:Antibodies