Iron deficiency in blood donors: the REDS-II Donor Iron Status Evaluation (RISE) study

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Blood donors face a significant risk of developing iron deficiency.
• Donation intensity is a key factor influencing iron status and hemoglobin levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of blood donation frequency on iron status and hemoglobin levels in donors.
• To identify predictors of iron depletion and hemoglobin deferral in blood donors.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 2425 frequent and first-time/reactivated blood donors (female and male).
• Measured ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and hemoglobin (Hb) at enrollment and final visit.
• Developed predictive models for iron deficiency erythropoiesis (IDE) and absent iron stores (AIS).

Main Results:

• High prevalence of iron depletion (AIS and IDE) observed, particularly in frequent female donors (up to 62% IDE).
• Predictors of iron depletion included higher donation frequency, shorter interdonation intervals, and younger female sex.
• Shorter interdonation intervals, female sex, and black race predicted Hb deferral.

Conclusions:

• Frequent blood donation leads to a high prevalence of iron depletion.
• Increasing interdonation intervals or using iron supplements can mitigate iron depletion and Hb deferral.
• Interventions are needed to maintain donor iron status and ensure donation safety.