Characterization of health issues in young first-time blood donors

Blood donors, especially young donors, are considered a healthy segment of the population. We sought to identify medical issues that may warrant medical referral in young first-time blood donors.

A retrospective cohort study was performed in first-time donors ages 16-22 who presented in a system of nineteen regional United States blood centres over 10 years. Donor health attributes characterized include body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol and pre-donation haemoglobin. Using standardized definitions, overweight and obese body mass, hypertension, elevated cholesterol and anaemia were identified and characterized in this donor population.

Among 825 041 young first-time donors presenting between January 2009 and December 2018, with available measurements, 46·9% were either overweight or obese, 59·8% demonstrated high blood pressure (22·2% elevated blood pressure, 37·6% stage 1 or 2 hypertension), elevated cholesterol was identified among 6·3% of males and 8·8% of females, and anaemia was present in 3·5% of males and 5·2% of females. During the study period, all unfavourable health outcomes significantly increased in prevalence (P < 0·0001) when comparing 2009 vs. 2018 rates.

Elevated weight and obesity are common in young first-time allogeneic United States blood donors, with fewer donors having elevated total cholesterol or anaemia. Such medical issues may have significant importance for future health and well-being as well as continued donor eligibility. Blood centres may be able to help support the identification and mitigation of important medical issues in donors and provide a public health benefit.