Vasovagal reaction among whole blood donors in Hospital Pulau Pinang. A statistical-epidemiological study
Context: Whole blood donation is generally considered a safe procedure; however, a small percentage of donors could develop vasovagal reactions (VVRs) during or after completion of blood donation. Aims: This study was undertaken to establish the prevalence of VVR among whole blood donors in Hospital...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Asian Journal of Transfusion Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ajts.org/article.asp?issn=0973-6247;year=2020;volume=14;issue=1;spage=28;epage=32;aulast=Hasan |
| Summary: | Context: Whole blood donation is generally considered a safe procedure; however, a small percentage of donors could develop vasovagal reactions (VVRs) during or after completion of blood donation.
Aims: This study was undertaken to establish the prevalence of VVR among whole blood donors in Hospital Pulau Pinang and to investigate factors that lead to its occurrence.
Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 27,890 whole blood donations in 2016.
Subjects and Methods: For each donation, donor's demographic and blood donation-related information was extracted from the blood bank database.
Statistical Analysis Used: Qualitative data including age group, sex, race, frequency, and location of donation were analyzed using Chi-square tests, while blood pressure was analyzed using t-test.
Results: Overall, 425 cases of VVRs were reported, resulting in a VVR rate of 1.5% (one event in every 65 donations). We found a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between the occurrence of VVRs with the young age group, female gender, Indian race, first-time donor, lower predonation blood pressure, and donation performed in a mobile donation campaign. The most common vasovagal symptoms are lightheadedness (88%), followed by nausea (5.4%), muscle twitching (3.5%), vomiting (1.4%), loss of consciousness <30 s (1.4%), and paresthesia (0.2%).
Conclusions: The prevalence of VVRs among whole blood donors in Hospital Pulau Pinang appeared to be low. Our study reaffirms that blood donation is a relatively safe process, and the incidence of VVR can be further reduced by ensuring strict screening procedure before blood donation. |
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| ISSN: | 0973-6247 1998-3565 |