The strategies to reduce iron deficiency in blood donors randomized trial: design, enrolment and early retention. Vox Sang 2015 Feb;108(2):178-85
Date
12/04/2014Pubmed ID
25469720Pubmed Central ID
PMC4300282DOI
10.1111/vox.12210Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84921312246 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 22 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Repeated blood donation produces iron deficiency. Changes in dietary iron intake do not prevent donation-induced iron deficiency. Prolonging the interdonation interval or using oral iron supplements can mitigate donation-induced iron deficiency. The most effective operational methods for reducing iron deficiency in donors are unknown.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 'Strategies To Reduce Iron Deficiency' (STRIDE) was a two-year, randomized, placebo-controlled study in blood donors. 692 donors were randomized into one of two educational groups or one of three interventional groups. Donors randomized to educational groups either received letters thanking them for donating, or, suggesting iron supplements or delayed donation if they had low ferritin. Donors randomized to interventional groups either received placebo, 19-mg or 38-mg iron pills.
RESULTS: Iron deficient erythropoiesis was present in 52·7% of males and 74·6% of females at enrolment. Adverse events within 60 days of enrolment were primarily mild gastrointestinal symptoms (64%). The incidence of de-enrolment within 60 days was more common in the interventional groups than in the educational groups (P = 0·002), but not more common in those receiving iron than placebo (P = 0·68).
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of iron deficient erythropoiesis in donors enrolled in the STRIDE study is comparable to previously described cohorts of regular blood donors. De-enrolment within 60 days was higher for donors receiving tablets, although no more common in donors receiving iron than placebo.
Author List
Bialkowski W, Bryant BJ, Schlumpf KS, Wright DJ, Birch R, Kiss JE, D'Andrea P, Cable RG, Spencer BR, Vij V, Mast AEAuthor
Walter Biakowski in the CTSI department at Medical College of Wisconsin - CTSIMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAnemia, Iron-Deficiency
Blood Donors
Dietary Supplements
Double-Blind Method
Erythropoiesis
Female
Humans
Iron
Iron, Dietary
Male
