The Relationship of Body Mass Index with Platelet Counts and Donation Frequency of Platelet Apheresis Donors

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic characteristics of platelet apheresis donors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to examine the association of platelet counts with blood groups and body mass index (BMI), and to characterize the effects of BMI on platelet apheresis donation. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, the demographic characteristics of platelet apheresis donors admitted to our center between January 2020 and January 2021 were examined, and hemogram parameters, previous platelet donation frequencies, and blood groups information were recorded. The relationship between donors' platelet counts, blood groups, and BMI were analyzed. Results: There was no statistically significant relationship between the platelet counts and blood groups. Although platelet counts were higher in Rh positive donors, no statistically significant relationship was found between platelet counts and the Rh group (p=0.675). Even though the platelet counts were lower in low-weight donors, there was no statistically significant relationship between platelet count and BMI groups (p=0.134). The lower collected platelet counts of the normal group, compared to the obese group, was found to be statistically significant (p=0.001). The number of donations for the overweight group being higher than the normal and obese groups was found to be statistically significant (p=0.002). Conclusion: Even though the platelet count increases with obesity, it does not have any statistical significance in healthy platelet donors. In conclusion, obesity does not have an inverse relationship with platelet apheresis donation and high BMI should not be considered as a prognostic factor for donation.

Keywords

• platelet
• apheresis
• donors
• body mass index
• trombosit aferez
• donör
• vücut kitle indeksi