Biomedical subjects

A Fernández-Montoya

Publications and source records attributed to A Fernández-Montoya.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

[Variations in transfusion practice in Spain].

OBJECTIVES: 1) To study the variations in the use of erythrocyte, platelet and plasma transfusion in Spain between regions, within a single region (Andalusia), and between hospitals; and 2) To determine any correlation between transfusion and blood donor rates within these areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were gathered from the Administrations of 17 regions, 8 Andalusian provinces, and 30 Andalusian hospitals. The variables selected for the study were the rates of donation, the rates of transfusion of each component/1000 inhabitants, and the rates of transfusion/1000 hospital stays. RESULTS: Among regions, the greatest variability was in platelet transfusion [Variation coefficient (VC) = 54.8%] and the least was in erythrocyte transfusion (VC = 21.2%). Donation rates correlated (r) strongly with erythrocyte and platelet transfusion rates, but not with those for plasma. Among the Andalusian provinces there was also a greater variability in the transfusion of platelets (VC = 61.3%) and a lesser one in erythrocyte transfusion (VC = 19.5%), and the correlation with donation rates was positive and significant for all the components (for erythrocytes, r = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant variations in transfusion practice in Spain at all the levels we analysed. Variations are greatest in platelet transfusion, followed by erythrocyte and finally plasma transfusion. Blood donation rates correlate strongly with transfusion rates for most of the components.

Blood Transfusion↗

PubMed1998

How some attitudes, beliefs and motivations of Spanish blood donors evolve over time.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the attitudes, beliefs and motivations of blood donors evolve over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using questionnaires a 7-year longitudinal study of a cohort of 126 donors was performed to gather their sociodemographic characteristics and their attitudes, beliefs and motivations relating to blood donation. RESULTS: Changes were observed in a large number of beliefs and attitudes, with a reduction in fear about donation and in the need for rewards and recognition, and an increase in comfort during donation and in attitudes of duty and solidarity. However, the motivations of 65% of the sample did not change. CONCLUSION: With the passage of time, donors' attitudes and beliefs evolve in a way that is favourable to blood donation and their motivations remain stable.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Altruism and payment in blood donation.

Paid blood donation still has its defenders, who cite economic doctrines denying the existence of altruism per se, the inability of most countries with exclusively voluntary donations to achieve self-sufficiency and the supposedly successful use of selected groups of paid donors. This paper argues that blood donation is an example of genuine altruism where the altruistic behaviour is incorporated into the self as a role. Unpaid donation is proven to be much safer for receivers and supply problems can be attributed fundamentally to inefficiencies in the organization of transfusion services. Voluntary and non-remunerated donation may be sufficient for a country/region to cover all its blood product needs, but requires an efficient organization and the elimination of "spurious altruism", nonmonetary forms of compensation that harm the social image of voluntary donation and obstruct its further development.

Altruism↗

PubMed1996

Epidemiology, serological markers, and hepatic disease of anti-HCV ELISA-2-positive blood donors.

The epidemiology associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, serologic reactivity, and hepatic disease related to anti-HCV-positive donors of Granada were researched. From 1990 through 1993, medical and epidemiological information and anti-HCV and HCV RNA testing were evaluated in 46,741 blood donors. Serum samples were obtained for anti-HCV ELISA and RIBA and HCV RNA determination. A liver biopsy was conducted in all anti-HCV positives by confirmatory second-generation RIBA to analyze the hepatic lesion and the presence of HCV RNA. The anti-HCV prevalence was 1.12%. A total of 228 anti-HCV second-generation ELISA positive blood donors were analyzed. Intrafamiliar transmission rate was 1.7%. Transfusion and intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) antecedents were associated with a higher risk of seroconversion. A RIBA-positive result was related to high second- and third-generation ELISA ratios (90%), HCV RNA positivity (89%), and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (88%). Approximately 50% of donors with normal ALT levels had high ELISA ratios and second-generation RIBA and HCV RNA positive results. Of the second-generation RIBA indeterminate results, 42% and 82% of the c22 and 33% and 100% of the c100 reactivities were third-generation RIBA and HCV RNA positive, respectively. Liver biopsy was conducted in 85 donors, 74% of whom had a chronic hepatitis and 83% had detectable HCV RNA levels. Chronic hepatitis was diagnosed in 88% vs 43% of donors with elevated and normal alanine aminotransferase levels, respectively. ELISA and confirmatory HCV RNA determinations should be routinely employed in donor screening. A liver biopsy should be conducted in patients with elevated ALT levels and normal ALT levels when viremic.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

[Prevalence of antibodies against CMV in Grenada].

The prevalence of anti-CMV antibodies was studied on 1,552 serum samples by means of latex passive haemagglutination method. Of all the sera studied, 1,084 were positive (69.8%). Amongst them, 523 samples came from women and 561 from men, which represent 74.7% and 65.8%, respectively. Regarding to age, 62.3% of the positive samples were from people under 30 years and 91.3% from subjects over that age. The screening of anti-CMV antibodies is especially important in blood and organ donors, where the high percentage of positivity makes it difficult to select negative blood donations. Thus, taking into account the cost-effectiveness, and the results of this study, the search for CMV-negative blood must be exerted preferentially on the group of blood donors under 30 years of age, regardless of sex.

Adolescent↗