RECRUITMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HEREDITARY HAEMOCHROMATOSIS AS BLOOD DONORS

• Main Authors: Marko Cukjati, Dragoslav Domanovič
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenian Medical Association 2004-12-01
• Series: Zdravniški Vestnik
• Subjects: therapeutic phlebotomy; blood; donor eligibility criteria; allogeneic transfusion; blood supply
• Online Access: http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/2428
• ISSN: 1318-0347; 1581-0224

<p>Background. Hereditary haemochromatosis is the most common inherited disorder in white persons with prevalence of about 1 in 200. Therapeutic phlebotomy is an effective treatment for the disease and prevents its sequele. In addition to their altruism, patients with hereditary haemochromatosis have also medical and monetary incentives for blood donation. Current guidelines do not allow haemochromatosis patients to donate blood. About two thirds of patients are eligible as blood donors and about two thirds of therapeutically drawn blood is suitable for transfusion. Therapeutically drawn blood could increase the blood supply by 1.5 to 30%.</p><p>Conclusions. The number of states that already accept patients with hereditary haemochromatosis as blood donors is increasing. To avoid monetary incentives they offer free phlebotomies for all patients with hereditary haemochromatosis. There have been no reports about higher incidence of transfusion reactions. In Slovenia the number of therapeutic phlebotomy is increasing. We should evaluate the possibilities for recruitment of haemochromatosis patients as blood donors also in our country. It is necessary to modify regulatory restrictions and to ensure that there is no other incentives than altruism for blood donation.<br /><br /></p>