title: Risk factors for complications in donors at first and repeat whole blood donation: a cohort study with assessment of the impact on donor return.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  First-time donation is among recognised risk factors for vasovagal reactions to blood donation and reactions are known to reduce donor return. We assessed associations between potential risk factors and vasovagal reactions and needle-related complications in first-time whole blood donation in comparison to repeat donation and analysed the impact of complications on donor return.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cohort study on whole blood donations in The Netherlands from 1/1/2010 to 31/12/2010 using data extracted from the blood service information system. Donation data up to 31/12/2011 were used to ascertain donor return.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2010 28,786 donors made first whole blood donations and there were 522,958 repeat donations. Vasovagal reactions occurred in 3.9% of first donations by males and 3.5% of first donations by females compared to in 0.2% and 0.6%, respectively, of repeat donations. Associations of vasovagal reactions with other factors including age, body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were similar in first-time and repeat donors. Needle-related complications occurred in 0.2% of male and 0.5% of female first-time donations and in 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, of repeat donations. Among first-time donors, the return rate within 1 year was 82% following an uncomplicated first donation, but 55% and 61% following vasovagal reactions and needle-related complications, respectively; the corresponding percentages among repeat donors were 86%, 58% and 82%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among first-time donors, females suffered less than males from vasovagal reactions. Other risk factors had similar associations among first-time and repeat donors. Vasovagal reactions and needle-related complications in both first-time and repeat donors are followed by reduced donor return.
authors.affiliation: Donor Services Unit, Sanquin Blood Supply, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johanna C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wiersum-Osselton
authors.affiliation: Donor Services Unit, Sanquin Blood Supply, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tanneke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marijt-van der Kreek
authors.affiliation: Sanquin-LUMC Jon J. van Rood Center for Clinical Transfusion Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anneke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.affiliation: Department Donor Studies, Sanquin Blood Supply, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Veldhuizen
authors.affiliation: Sanquin-LUMC Jon J. van Rood Center for Clinical Transfusion Research, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johanna G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: van der Bom
authors.affiliation: Donor Services Unit, Sanquin Blood Supply, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Department Donor Studies, Sanquin Blood Supply, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: de Kort
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins