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Sustained decreases in platelet count associated with multiple, regular plateletpheresis donations
Author(s) -
Lazarus Ellen F.,
Browning Janet,
Norman James,
Oblitas Jaime,
Leitman Susan F.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.2001.41060756.x
Subject(s) - plateletpheresis , medicine , platelet , apheresis , donation , platelet transfusion , retrospective cohort study , surgery , economics , economic growth
BACKGROUND: Transient but significant decreases in platelet counts have been documented to occur in donors undergoing single and serial short‐term plateletpheresis collections. The effect of long‐term regular plateletpheresis on donor platelet counts has not been characterized. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the effects of long‐term regular plateletpheresis donation on donor platelet counts. A computerized database containing records of 11,464 apheresis collections from 939 donors over a 4‐year period was queried for serial preapheresis platelet counts. Donors were categorized by sex, age, and cumulative number of donations. The average difference in platelet counts ( m ΔPC) between each donor's first and last platelet count during this period was calculated for each category. A subgroup of frequent donors was selected for analysis of m ΔPC, using the baseline platelet count obtained before the first plateletpheresis procedure. RESULTS: A significant and sustained decrease in platelet count was identified for all donation frequency categories. The frequency of donation correlated directly with decrease in platelet count for all but the highest‐frequency donation group, in which deferrals for low platelet count blunted the extent of the m ΔPC. A mean decrease of 40,000 per μL from baseline occurred in the frequent‐donor subgroup. A total of 84 donors (9%) were deferred for low platelet count. The majority returned to donate successfully after temporary deferral. CONCLUSIONS: Regular plateletpheresis donors develop sustained decreases in platelet count. However, clinically significant thrombocytopenia is unusual when rigorous ongoing review and prudent deferral policies are established and followed.