Comparative Analysis of Lipid Profile in First Time Donors and Frequent Donors - A Prospective Study
K S Saahithya Varshini1, Vignesh Balakrishnan, A Divya
1Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Vinayaka Mission's Kirupananda Variyar Medical College and Hospitals, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
Background:
Blood donation is a vital public health measure that not only saves the lives but may also confer health benefits to donors. Regular blood donation has been hypothesized to reduce serum lipid levels and improve cardiovascular health by lowering body iron stores and oxidative stress. This study aimed to compare the lipid profiles between regular and first-time blood donors and assess the potential cardioprotective effect of regular blood donation.
Materials And Methods:
A prospective cohort study was conducted among 102 voluntary blood donors at Vinayaka Mission's Kirupananda Variyar Medical College and Hospitals, Salem, over 3 months. Donors were categorized as regular (≥2 donations in the past 1 year) and first-time donors, following National AIDS Control Organization (2017) guidelines. After informed consent, demographic and clinical data were recorded and serum lipid profiles - including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) - were analyzed using an Erba Mannheim 200 analyzer. Lipid ratios (LDL/HDL, TC/HDL, and TG/HDL) were calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA. Independent t-test was used for group comparisons, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results:
Baseline characteristics such as age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were comparable between groups (P > 0.05). Regular donors had significantly lower TC (151 ± 8.88 mg/dL vs. 189 ± 9.28 mg/dL; P = 0.002) and TG (120 ± 7.45 mg/dL vs. 179 ± 5.77 mg/dL; P = 0.01) compared to first-time donors. HDL-C was significantly higher in regular donors (51 ± 2.87 mg/dL vs. 40 ± 1.66 mg/dL; P = 0.004), while LDL-C was lower (91 ± 9.54 mg/dL vs. 119 ± 10.55 mg/dL; P = 0.001). Lipid ratios (LDL/HDL, TC/HDL, and TG/HDL) were also significantly reduced in regular donors (P < 0.01), indicating a more favorable cardiovascular profile.
Conclusion:
Regular blood donation is associated with improved lipid parameters, characterized by lower TC, TG, and LDL-C, along with higher HDL-C levels and favorable lipid ratios. These findings suggest that habitual blood donation may offer protective cardiovascular benefits, emphasizing its value not only in saving lives but also in promoting donor health.
