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Determination of reasons for cessation of participation in serial plasmapheresis programs
1MBR Consulting Services and the University of California, Los Angeles, USA. jreilly@pmgamc.com
Background:
An earlier retrospective review of records of over 500 remunerated donors participating in plasmapheresis programs at various levels of frequency for 10 or more years showed that there were no significant differences in mean values for total protein, microhematocrit, body weight, and individual serum proteins, regardless of the number of annualized donations for each of four frequency groups. Although these data demonstrated that donors undergoing serial plasmapheresis for 10 or more years were able to successfully continue in such programs, the review did not include information relative to individuals who had discontinued their participation. The current study investigated reasons that donors drop out of plasmapheresis programs.
Study Design And Methods:
Donors who had successfully undergone plasmapheresis at least 20 times within a recent 6-month period but who had failed to appear for at least 30 days subsequent to their last donation were defined as potential subjects for the study. Staff members at the participating center contacted the donors, inviting them to return to the center to participate in a survey. Donors were also asked for a blood sample upon their arrival at the plasma center; samples were tested for total and various serum proteins.
Results:
A total of 409 eligible subjects appeared at the centers for the survey, and 375 blood samples were analyzed for proteins. Survey responses indicated that the predominant reasons for an end to participation were socioeconomic in nature. Serum protein findings were compared to the most recent results obtained while the donors were active in the plasmapheresis program. Slightly higher mean serum protein findings were seen for samples collected on the survey date.
Conclusion:
A review of the aggregate responses obtained in the survey indicates that the predominant reasons that donors ceased to participate were not health-related: the remuneration was no longer needed, and work schedule conflicts, time constraints, and relocation were frequently cited.
