Analysis of the frequency of post transfusion adverse reactions and their association with blood components supplied by the Regional Blood Transfusion Center in Poznań (2011–2018)

Abstract

Background: Blood component transfusions are common, often life-saving therapies, however they sometimes (0.2–10% ) result in adverse reactions (ARs). The study aim was to analyse AR frequency and relation to transfusion in patients treated with blood components as well as to present recipient, donor, and blood component factors that induce ARs. Material and methods: The retrospective analysis included 650 cases of ARs following transfusion which were reported to the Blood Transfusion Center in Poznań in the period 2011–2018. The reported ARs were analysed for their intensity/severity, component modification and storage time prior to transfusion, patient’s clinical condition and transfusion history as well as sex and age of both donors and recipients. Finally, for each AR case the imputability with transfusion was assessed. Results: In the study population, ARs were infrequent ( < 0.1%) and depended on the type of blood component, age and sex of the recipient and donor as well as on transfusion history. The symptoms observed were found to be related to transfusion in less than 50% of cases. It has been demonstrated that the deaths reported in the study were related to patients whose clinical condition was either severe or fairly/relatively good and who usually manifested severe adverse reactions (SARs) following transfusion. Conclusions: (i) identified ARs were rarely reported. The lower incidence rate as compared to the published data indicates that not all ARs are reported. The reporting procedure needs to be changed. (ii) Confirmed relation with transfusion was determined in less than 50% of cases. (iii) Some donor/recipient/blood component — specific factors may induce certain types of adverse reactions.