[Less iron deficiency in whole-blood donors: the effect of ferritin-guided donation intervals].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ferritin-guided donation intervals on haemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin levels, iron deficiency and low Hb deferrals in whole-blood donors.

Design: A cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trial.

Methods: In 2017-2019, Sanquin gradually implemented ferritin-guided donation intervals.

Novel loci and biomedical consequences of iron homoeostasis variation.

Iron homoeostasis is tightly regulated, with hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) playing significant roles. However, the genetic determinants of these traits and the biomedical consequences of iron homoeostasis variation are unclear. In a meta-analysis of 12 cohorts involving 91,675 participants, we found 43 genomic loci associated with either hepcidin or sTfR concentration, of which 15 previously unreported.

The Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody assays: Differentiating between vaccination and infection, and assessing long-term performance.

Introduction: Serological surveillance is useful for assessing SARS-CoV-2 immunity in populations. To effectively study the presence and persistence of antibodies, it is necessary to distinguish between persons with past infection, and persons who only received vaccination. Knowledge of the duration of antibody persistence is essential for correct interpretation of surveillance results.

Donor knowledge and perceptions regarding donation-induced iron depletion and iron supplementation as a blood service policy.

Background And Objectives: Regular whole blood donations are associated with an increased risk of iron deficiency. Iron supplementation is an effective strategy to prevent donation-induced iron deficiency. However, research on donor perceptions towards such a policy is limited.

Blood safety markers in Dutch donors after relaxation of deferral for men who have sex with men: re-emergence of syphilis and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use.

Background: Less discriminatory donor selection policies for men who have sex with men (MSM) may impact transfusion safety in terms of higher residual risks for known transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), increased vulnerability toward new TTIs that are also transmitted via sex, and HIV infections masked by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Study Design And Methods: TTI trends in Dutch donors were studied over a 13-year period (2011-2023), characterized by successive relaxations of MSM deferral criteria. Structured posttest counseling was performed to determine risk factors in TTI-positive donors.

Effectiveness of ferritin-guided donation intervals in whole-blood donors in the Netherlands (FIND'EM): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial.

Background: Whole-blood donors are at increased risk for iron deficiency and anaemia. The current standard of haemoglobin monitoring is insufficient to ensure the maintenance of proper iron reserves and donor health. We aimed to determine the effects of ferritin-guided donation intervals for blood donor health and blood supply in the Netherlands.

Increasing the upper age limit for blood donation: Perspectives from older donors.

Background And Objectives: In the Netherlands, as of April 2018, the upper age limit for blood donation has been raised from 69 to 79 years, providing an opportunity to study older donors' perspectives regarding donating at older age. This study aims to explore whether older donors agree with the increase of the age limit, if they feel obliged to continue donating, to identify their motivators and barriers for donating blood and describe donation-related experiences and complications.

Materials And Methods: An online survey was distributed among Dutch blood donors aged 68-73 years.

Iron supplementation: A qualitative study on the perception of blood donors, blood collection staff and donor physicians.

Background And Objectives: Iron supplementation is an effective strategy to mitigate donation-induced iron deficiency in blood donors. However, evidence on the perception of individuals involved in blood donation on iron supplementation as a blood service policy is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and perception of whole blood donors (donors), blood collection staff (collection staff) and donor physicians (physicians) regarding donation-induced iron loss and iron supplementation.

Cardiovascular Benefits for Blood Donors? A Systematic Review.

It has been proposed that blood donation could be protective against cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to systematically summarize and evaluate existing observational and experimental studies on effects of blood donation on cardiovascular risk and disease in donor and general populations. The electronic databases PubMed and EMBASE were searched until March 2019 for experimental and observational studies on blood donation and cardiovascular risk or disease.

Balancing non-discriminatory donor selection and blood safety in the Netherlands: Evaluation of an individual risk assessment of sexual behavior.

Background: To better balance the safety of the blood supply and the inclusion of men who have sex with men (MSM), further improvements are needed to the risk management strategy employed in the Netherlands to reduce transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). A gender-neutral individual risk assessment could provide a solution by determining donor eligibility based on sexual behaviors known to increase the risk of TTIs. Our objective is to estimate the proportion of blood donors that would be deferred by such an assessment, as well as their discomfort answering such questions.

Associations Between Symptoms, Donor Characteristics and IgG Antibody Response in 2082 COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Donors.

Many studies already reported on the association between patient characteristics on the severity of COVID-19 disease outcome, but the relation with SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels is less clear. To investigate this in more detail, we performed a retrospective observational study in which we used the IgG antibody response from 11,118 longitudinal antibody measurements of 2,082 unique COVID convalescent plasma donors. COVID-19 symptoms and donor characteristics were obtained by a questionnaire.

Ferritin-guided iron supplementation in whole blood donors: optimal dosage, donor response, return and efficacy (FORTE)-a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Background: Frequent whole blood donors have an increased risk of developing iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can have detrimental health effects when left untreated. Donation intervals are commonly too short to replenish iron stores and extending these reduces donor availability.

Low awareness of past SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthy plasma donors.

Awareness of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for the effectiveness of COVID-19 control measures. Here, we investigate awareness of infection and symptoms in relation to antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in healthy plasma donors. We asked individuals donating plasma across the Netherlands between May 11 and 18 2020 to report COVID-19-related symptoms, and we tested for antibodies indicative of a past infection with SARS-CoV-2.

New blood donors in times of crisis: Increased donation willingness, particularly among people at high risk for attracting SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Traditionally, during crises the number of new blood donors increases. However, the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created additional barriers to donate due to governmental prevention measures and increased personal health risks. In this report, we examined how the pandemic affected new donor registrations in the Netherlands, especially among groups with higher risk profiles for severe COVID-19.

Whole blood donors' post-donation symptoms diminish quickly but are discouraging: Results from 6-day symptom diaries.

Background: Whole blood donors may experience post-donation symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or headache after blood donation, which could influence donor retention. We aimed to examine post-donation symptoms during 1 week after whole blood donation, investigate donor characteristics associated with symptoms, and evaluate associations between symptoms and donor return.

Methods: During 1 week, whole blood donors who donated successfully at one of the collection centers in The Netherlands were invited to participate.

Large genome-wide association study identifies three novel risk variants for restless legs syndrome.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological sensorimotor disorder often described as an unpleasant sensation associated with an urge to move the legs. Here we report findings from a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of RLS including 480,982 Caucasians (cases = 10,257) and a follow up sample of 24,977 (cases = 6,651). We confirm 19 of the 20 previously reported RLS sequence variants at 19 loci and report three novel RLS associations; rs112716420-G (OR = 1.

Ferritin measurement IN Donors-Effectiveness of iron Monitoring to diminish iron deficiency and low haemoglobin in whole blood donors (FIND'EM): study protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial.

Background: Blood donors are at risk for reduced iron stores, because of which donor iron monitoring received increased attention in the last decade. Despite the importance for donor health, international consensus on an appropriate policy for iron monitoring is lacking. Therefore, we conduct a trial to evaluate to what extent ferritin-guided donation intervals are effective in increasing haemoglobin and ferritin levels, decreasing low-haemoglobin deferral, increasing donor return and improving the health of whole blood donors in the Netherlands.

Community burden and transmission of acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus and rotavirus in the Netherlands (RotaFam): a prospective household-based cohort study.

Background: Norovirus and rotavirus are the dominant pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis in children. To quantify their natural disease burden and transmission, we prospectively monitored households in an endemic setting in the Netherlands, a high-income country that does not have a rotavirus vaccination programme.

Methods: We did a prospective, household survey-based cohort study in the Netherlands.