Aims: Vasovagal reaction is one of the most common complications of blood donation, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of vasovagal reactions and its effective factors among blood donors in Mashhad blood transfusion centers.
Materials & Methods: This case-control study was performed on 657 blood donors in Mashhad's four blood transfusion centers during 6 months. The donors who had vasovagal reactions were in the case group (218 cases), and 439 donors who did not respond to vasovagal were in the control group. The age, BMI, blood pressure, pulse rate, hematocrit and vasovagal response variables were studied. Data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5 using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.
Findings: The incidence of vasovagal reactions in the six months was 2.16%. The mean age in the case group was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.001). Vasovagal reactions were significantly higher in women and in first-time donors, as well as in those with anxiety and in subjects with lower BMI (p<0.001). The mean reduction in arterial pressure after blood donation was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The incidence of vasovagal reactions is dependent on several factors, including age, sex, BMI, and blood pressure, and with more care from high-risk donors, it can be approximately prevented from vasovagal reaction and increased the possibility of returning to blood donation
