[Screening for increased cholesterol values in blood donors].

OBJECTIVE

In a pilot study blood donors were screened on HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol. The practicability and significance of such a screening in a blood bank should be tested.

DESIGN

For this purpose, current methods to determine HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol were adapted on microtiter plates and validated. In a period of about 4 weeks all blood donors were tested for the three cholesterol parameters.

SETTING

Red Cross blood bank in Baden-Baden, Germany with about 150,000 donations per year.

PARTICIPANTS

The HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol results of 10,006 blood donors could be evaluated.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

RESULTS

The mean total cholesterol was 192 +/- 36 mg/dl, the mean HDL cholesterol 56 +/- 15 mg/dl, and a mean LDL cholesterol of 123 +/- 39 mg/dl was found. The known age-dependency of the measured cholesterol fractions could be confirmed in our blood donor population. According to the current recommendations, more than 20% of the tested blood donors need a therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that the screening of blood donors for increased total cholesterol for prevention of coronary heart disease could be done with a minimum of costs.