The Effects of Long-Term Plasmapheresis on the Iron Status of the Donors

Lee, Mi Kyung; Han, Hee Sook; Kim, Jong Ahm; Min, Won Ki

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We found that intensive and long-term plasmapheresis might be responsible for iron depletion of donors in our previous study. So we examined 88 multi-time and 44 first-time donors to investigate the effects of long-term plasmapheresis on the iron status of the body.
METHODS
Eighty eight donors who had never donated whole blood or donated plasma only regularly over a period of 5 years were selected. They were divided into group 1, 2 and 3 by donation interval and group A, B and C by the number of plasmapheresis per year. Fifty eight of them had follow-up data after the donation. Whole blood was taken from the donors before plasmapheresis by the Fenwal Autopheresis-C system. Each sample was assayed for serum ferritin, iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation. RESLUTS: For serum ferritin, iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation, the mean values of multi-time donors were in the normal range but significantly lower than those of first-time donors. Twenty four (27.3%) multi-time donors had either less than 10 ng/mL of serum ferritin or less than 16% of transferrin saturation. Six donors had the lower values of both serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Among 88 multi-time donors, there were significant differences between groups. Group 1 with the shortest donation interval had significantly lower ferritin value than the other groups. Group C with the highest donation frequency had significantly lower ferritin, TIBC and transferrin saturation values than the other groups. The results for the follow-up data of 58 donors were similar to those for the initial data.
CONCLUSION
The donation intervals and the frequency of plasmapheresis influence body iron status of donors. So intensive and long-term plasmapheresis may result in iron depletion in donors. Consequently, a more sophisticated donor screening system to prevent iron depletion in intensive and long-term plasmapheresis donors should be established.