title: The strategies to reduce iron deficiency in blood donors randomized trial: design, enrolment and early retention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Repeated blood donation produces iron deficiency. Changes in dietary iron intake do not prevent donation-induced iron deficiency. Prolonging the interdonation interval or using oral iron supplements can mitigate donation-induced iron deficiency. The most effective operational methods for reducing iron deficiency in donors are unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  'Strategies To Reduce Iron Deficiency' (STRIDE) was a two-year, randomized, placebo-controlled study in blood donors. 692 donors were randomized into one of two educational groups or one of three interventional groups. Donors randomized to educational groups either received letters thanking them for donating, or, suggesting iron supplements or delayed donation if they had low ferritin. Donors randomized to interventional groups either received placebo, 19-mg or 38-mg iron pills.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Iron deficient erythropoiesis was present in 52·7% of males and 74·6% of females at enrolment. Adverse events within 60 days of enrolment were primarily mild gastrointestinal symptoms (64%). The incidence of de-enrolment within 60 days was more common in the interventional groups than in the educational groups (P = 0·002), but not more common in those receiving iron than placebo (P = 0·68).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of iron deficient erythropoiesis in donors enrolled in the STRIDE study is comparable to previously described cohorts of regular blood donors. De-enrolment within 60 days was higher for donors receiving tablets, although no more common in donors receiving iron than placebo.
authors.affiliation: Blood Research and Medical Sciences Institutes, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bialkowski
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Schlumpf
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Cable
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vij
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Mast
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001782:Blood Donors; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004920:Erythropoiesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D019266:Iron, Dietary; D007501:Iron
keywords: anaemia; blood donation; ferritin; iron deficiency