(P-BC-22) Demographic And Health Characteristics Of Plateletpheresis Donors

To describe the demographic and health characteristics of plateletpheresis donors and to determine the association between ABO blood type, body mass index (BMI), and routinely running with health conditions.

Study

Design/Methods:

155 volunteers who met the FDA requirements for plateletpheresis donation at a university blood center consented and provided demographic and health information at the time of plateletpheresis donation, by filling out a questionnaire approved by the IRB.

Results/Findings:

All donors asked to participate consented.  55 females (35%) and 100 males (65%) participated. Median age for males was 54 (range:18-81) and for females was 52 (range 18 to 78). Median body mass index (BMI) for males was 28 (range:  19 to 39) and for females was 29 (range 19 to 46). Percentage of donors overweight (BMI >25.0 -29.9) or obese (>30) was 39% and 33%, respectively. ABO blood type percentage was the following: O 44%, A 37%, B 12%, and AB 6%. 42 (27%) of 155 were former smokers with a median age of 67 and only one was a current smoker.  21% of male donors and 16% of female donors said they routinely run at least weekly for exercise (median age 46). The percentage of donors with the following health conditions was as follows: hypertension 22%, diabetes 0.6%, COPD 1.3%, take a statin for high cholesterol 22%. 65% had none of the above health conditions, and 41% of males and 24% of females had at least one health condition. There was no significant association between ABO blood type and one of these health conditions, but BMI was significantly associated with high blood pressure (31 (IQR 27-34) vs 28 (IQR 24-30) p = 0.001) without high blood pressure.  Routinely running for exercise adjusted for age was negatively associated with BMI (BMI 24; IQR 23-27 for runners vs BMI 29; IQR 26-32 for non-runners; p < 0.001), but was not associated with the presence of a health condition (p=0.394).

Conclusions:

The majority of plateletpheresis donors were overweight or obese, but significantly less obese as a percentage (33%) than the percentage of obese Iowans (47.6%). The most common health conditions were high blood pressure and high cholesterol. There was no association between ABO blood type and a health condition. Routinely running was associated with a significantly lower BMI.

Conclusion: The majority of plateletpheresis donors were overweight or obese, but significantly less obese as a percentage (33%) than the percentage of obese Iowans (47.6%). The most common health conditions were high blood pressure and high cholesterol. There was no association between ABO blood type and a health condition. Routinely running was associated with a significantly lower BMI.