Blood donation by the elderly. Clinical and policy considerations

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Transfusion Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Healthy individuals over 66 are excluded from blood donation solely due to age.
• This demographic is growing and has high per capita blood product usage.
• There is no clinical basis for age-based exclusion of healthy donors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and safety of blood donation in healthy elderly donors (66+ years).
• To compare donation outcomes between elderly donors and a younger control group (55-65 years).

Main Methods:

• A controlled study involving prior blood donors.
• Participants were divided into two groups: 66+ years (study) and 55-65 years (control).
• Donation volume and immediate adverse reactions were recorded and compared.

Main Results:

• Donation volume was comparable between the older and younger donor groups.
• The older group experienced eight immediate reactions (seven mild, one moderate).
• The control group experienced seven immediate reactions (six mild, one severe).

Conclusions:

• Recruiting healthy prior blood donors aged 66 and older is clinically feasible and efficient.
• Elderly donors can donate significant blood volumes with no difference in immediate or short-term reactions compared to younger donors.
• Further research on hemodynamic variables is recommended to objectively assess safety.