The contribution and potential of older blood donors in Asia Pacific regions

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Fung, Yoke‐Lin
Lee, Cheuk‐Kwong
Kwon, So‐Yong
Soedarmono, Yuyun
Satake, Masahiro
Alcantara, Ramir
Donkin, Rebecca
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2022
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the blood supply contribution of older donors in five Asia Pacific regions. Background: Older people are often the largest blood user group. Thus, as the population ages blood supply needs increase. Minimum and maximum donation age criteria potentially constrain the size of the donor pool. Materials and methods: Haemoglobin values and demographic frequency analytics (sex, age and blood type) were analysed on blood donors aged 60 years or more, from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea over 12 months. Results: Data on 434357 donations was analysed. ABO Rh(D) frequencies of older donors matched that of national frequencies. Older donors were a disproportionately smaller proportion of the total donor pool for each country. Indonesia was the only region with no maximum age limit. Median haemoglobin for older males ranged from 14.2 to 14.8 g/dl and for females 13.1 to 13.9 g/dl. The frequency of female donors was between 15% and 33% of older donors. Older donors had higher donation frequency and lower deferral rates. Conclusion: Older donors are loyal and regular donors but under-represented in all regions studied. They could help meet future blood supply needs, especially postmenopausal female donors. Studies including ferritin levels are needed to determine if upper age limits can be safely modified.

Journal Title

Transfusion Medicine

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

32

Issue

1

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Public health

Haematology

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Fung, Y; Lee, C; Kwon, S; Soedarmono, Y; Satake, M; Alcantara, R; Donkin, R, The contribution and potential of older blood donors in Asia Pacific regions, Transfusion Medicine, 2022, 32 (1), pp. 71-76

Collections