Predonation water ingestion attenuates negative reactions to blood donation

BACKGROUND:  Novice blood donors are at increased risk for unpleasant blood donation‐related symptoms (e.g., dizziness, weakness, and lightheadedness), and the experience of such symptoms can contribute to a decreased likelihood of repeat donation. Recent laboratory studies suggest that water ingest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transfusion (Philadelphia, Pa.) Pa.), 2004-06, Vol.44 (6), p.924-928
Main Authors: Hanson, Sarah A., France, Christopher R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Blood Donors - psychology
Blood. Blood and plasma substitutes. Blood products. Blood cells. Blood typing. Plasmapheresis. Apheresis
Body Water
Drinking
Electric Impedance
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Phlebotomy - adverse effects
Premedication
Syncope - etiology
Syncope - prevention & control
Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy
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Summary:BACKGROUND:  Novice blood donors are at increased risk for unpleasant blood donation‐related symptoms (e.g., dizziness, weakness, and lightheadedness), and the experience of such symptoms can contribute to a decreased likelihood of repeat donation. Recent laboratory studies suggest that water ingestion produces hemodynamic effects that may be sufficient to reduce risk of syncope and related reactions during blood donation. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Male and female volunteers were randomly assigned to ingest either 500 or 0 mL of water 30 minutes before donating blood for the first time. In addition, bioimpedance analysis was used to assess predonation chronic hydration levels in all donors. Immediately after donation, participants completed the Blood Donation Reactions Inventory to assess subjective experience of negative physiologic reactions. RESULTS:  Analysis of Blood Donation Reactions Inventory scores revealed that predonation water ingestion was associated with a 47‐percent reduction of total donation‐related symptoms (F [1,79]= 11.81, p = 0.001). Chronic hydration status was not related to reported reactions. CONCLUSION:  Novice blood donors responded positively to predonation water consumption, and they were able to consume 500 mL in less than 5 minutes. Results of the present study suggests that predonation water ingestion may be a simple and cost‐effective strategy to enhance the donation experience and possibly increase donor retention.
ISSN:0041-1132
1537-2995
DOI:10.1111/j.1537-2995.2004.03426.x