Association Between Race and Blood Ferritin Level of Whole Blood Donors.

BACKGROUND

Ferritin serves as a key marker of iron stores, and its levels are influenced by genetic, dietary, and physiological factors. However, racial disparities in ferritin levels among whole blood donors remain underexplored, despite their potential impact on donor health and transfusion practices. This study investigates racial differences in ferritin levels among whole blood donors at a single high-volume center to assess potential disparities and their implications for donor management.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 26,130 whole blood donors from 2018 to 2021. Donor demographic data, including self-reported race and sex, were extracted from a centralized database. Serum ferritin levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay, and statistical comparisons were performed using Welch's t-test and ANOVA, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Significant racial disparities in ferritin levels were observed. Caucasian donors exhibited the lowest ferritin levels, while Asian donors had the highest levels. African American donors displayed relatively lower ferritin levels than expected based on prior literature. Across all racial groups, males had significantly higher ferritin levels than females (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Racial disparities in ferritin levels suggest the need for race-conscious donor health strategies, including potential pre-donation ferritin screening and tailored donation intervals to mitigate iron depletion risks. Further research is warranted to assess the impact of donation frequency on these disparities.