Work

The prevalence and demographic determinants of blood donors receiving testosterone replacement therapy at a large USA blood service organization

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blood donors receiving testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) often require therapeutic phlebotomy due to erythrocytosis. Red blood cells (RBCs) donated by eligible TRT donors are approved for collection and transfusion. This study was aimed at defining the prevalence and demographic determinants of TRT donors at a large USA blood service organization. STUDY DESIGN: Donation data from TRT donors and matched controls was collected from a de-identified electronic donor database across 16 blood centers in 2017-2018. Demographic determinants included race, sex, age, hemoglobin (Hb), body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the frequency of donations in the 2-year period. RESULTS: compared with 36.2% in controls) and intensive donation frequency (1 to 29 donations in 2 years vs. 1 to 12 in controls). TRT donors had significantly (p < 0.0001) higher MAP and Hb compared with controls (MAP 99.9 ± 9.81 vs. 96.5 ± 10.1 mmHg; Hb 17.8 ± 1.44 vs. 15.6 ± 1.37 g/dL). One year of donations was associated with significant decreases in MAP and Hb for TRT donors. CONCLUSIONS: TRT is associated with high prevalence of erythrocytosis and obesity that may explain the intensive donation frequency, high MAP, and Hb. Frequent phlebotomies had a moderately positive effect on blood pressure and Hb levels. Potential implications of TRT on the quality of the RBC products require further evaluation.

Source: Transfusion

DOI: 10.1111/trf.15754

Authors: Kelsey Hazegh, Marjorie D. Bravo, Hany Kamel, Larry Dumont, Tamir Kanias

Institutions: Vitalant Research Institute, Vitalant, Vitalant, University of Colorado Anschutz, University of Colorado Denver

Language: English

Topic: Blood donation and transfusion practices

Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute