Lipid and Haematologic Profiling of Regular Blood Donors Revealed Health Benefits

Abstract

Background

Blood banks have been suffering a shortage of blood worldwide due to limited donations. By and large, it is widely believed that blood donation has multiple health benefits. However, there are limited studies that support it. As a result, assessing the biochemical profiles of the regular blood donors is indispensable to evaluating an individual’s risk for chronic inflammation.

Objective

We strived to compare lipid and haematological profiles of the regular and first-time blood donors in the National Blood Bank Service of Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study, involving 104 blood samples (52 each of regular and first-time donors), was designed to analyze lipid and haematological profiles and anthropometric parameters were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, Chi-square (χ²) was used to compare the relationship between categorical variables and an independent Student’s t-test was used to compare the mean of the two groups. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Regular blood donors had lower mean TC (144.3 ± 28 mg/dL), TG (159.3 ± 88.2 mg/dL), LDL-c (75.9 ± 25.9 mg/dL) than the first-time blood donors with values of TC (158.1 ± 38.94 mg/dL), TG (163.9 ± 82.7 mg/dL), LDL-c (93.1 ± 31.5 mg/dL), respectively. The ratio of LDL-c/HDL-c and TC/HDL-c was found to be lower in regular blood donors when compared to the first-time donors (P < 0.05). Even though the level of HDL-c was higher (39.8 ± 8.8 mg/dL) in regular blood donors compared to first-time blood donors (36.8 ± 7.7 mg/dL), it was not statistically significant. The mean of some haematologic parameters like a platelet, RDW, lymphocyte, and MCH was significantly lower in regular blood donors than in first-time blood donors. BMI and WHR in regular donors were less than the first-time donors, albeit statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

Interestingly, blood donation has a significant health benefit by lowering TC, TG and LDL-c, which have the potential risk of developing chronic inflammation.

Keywords:

• blood donation
• lipid profile
• hematologic parameters
• National Blood Bank Service of Ethiopia
• chronic inflammation

Abbreviations

BMI, body mass index; CBC, complete blood count; CVD, cardiovascular disease; FTD, first-time donors; HDL-c, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-c,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; NBBS, National Blood Bank Service; NLR, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio; PLR, platelet to lymphocyte ratio; RBC, red blood cell; RBD, regular blood donors; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; VLDL-c, very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol; WBC, white blood cell; WHR, waist to hip ratio.

Data Sharing Statement

Anyone interested in the full data in excel format can have the data by writing to [email protected].

Ethics Approval, Consent to Participate and Publication

Before the study, an ethical clearance letter (with a reference number SOM/DRERC/BCHM/088/2012) was obtained from the Research and Ethics Review Committee of the Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University. A collaboration letter for data collection was also obtained from the National Blood Bank Service. The research proposal was presented and thoroughly discussed at the National Blood Bank Service of Ethiopia as well.

The objective of the study was clarified and explained to each participant before enrolling any of the eligible study participants. Written informed consent for samples, data collection, and publication was obtained from the study participants (Supporting Information). Confidentiality, anonymity, neutrality, accountability and academic honesty were maintained throughout the study.

Acknowledgments

Our deepest gratitude goes to the study participants, data collectors, and laboratory technologists for their invaluable support. We are also grateful to Ethiopian Blood Bank Services and Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) for their collaboration in data collection and laboratory analysis, respectively. This study was partly funded by Addis Ababa University. We disclose that this manuscript was based on the “Comparative study of lipid profile and hematologic parameters among regular and first-time blood donors at National Blood Bank Service of Ethiopia” thesis. We acknowledge the staff of the National Blood Bank Service of Ethiopia, staff of the laboratory department of Ethiopia public health institute, the Department of Medical Biochemistry of AAU ethical review committee for the ethical clearance, and AAU for Financial support.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

All authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

The research budget is funded by Addis Ababa University.