Can we prevent vasovagal reactions in young inexperienced whole blood donors? A placebo controlled study comparing effects of a 330 vs 500 mL water drink prior to donation
Wiersum-Osselton J, et al
Published in Transfusion
Methodology
Placebo-controlled comparative study among donors under 30 attending for a 1st-4th whole blood donation; collection centres assigned to offer a 500 mL water drink, a 330 mL water drink, or a placebo intervention of pre-donation arm exercise, with additional centres providing standard-care controls; self-reported vasovagal reactions collected by electronic questionnaire within 7 days.
Key Findings
Among 8,300 blood donors under 30 attending for their first to fourth whole blood donation, 6,921 (83%) returned the post-donation questionnaire and 18.5% reported moderate or worse vasovagal reactions. In second- to fourth-time donors, both a 500 mL and a 330 mL pre-donation water drink reduced the odds of a reaction compared with standard care (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59-0.94 and OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58-0.91; combined adjusted OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64-0.94), a 23% reduction with no difference between volumes. There was no effect in brand-new donors, and no effect in the placebo arm of pre-donation arm exercise.
Conclusions
Drinking water was associated with 23% fewer VVR with no difference between 330 and 500 mL.
Limitations
Interventions were assigned by collection centre rather than by individual randomisation, outcomes were self-reported by questionnaire with 17% non-response, and the benefit was absent in first-time donors.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
Access Study
Disclosures
Funding
Sanquin (Dutch national blood service)
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