Objectives: Evaluation of the impact of a coronary heart disease prevention program on calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D dietary intake in respect of recommended daily allowances in a large Italian rural population. Design: Retrospective analysis of the Brisighella Study dietary data. The Brisighella Study started in 1972 as a longitudinal study on atherosclerosis risk factors. Setting: Brisighella, a rural North Italian village. Subjects: The Brisighella population's dietary habits were monitored from 1980 every 4 h through a dietary record sheet. 1350 constantly tested subjects were subdivided according to NHI Consensus Conference on Calcium RDA. Intervention: In 1986, the studied subjects were invited to reduce their consumption of animal fats and cholesterol through a Nutrition Educational Program (NEP). Results: Before NEP, calcium intake was low in each sex and age category: 20 ± 40% of the populatioin had a daily intake`550 mg. In 1988, among the 1350 subjects who constantly completed the questionnaire (M 651, F 699), the mean calcium intake signi®cantly rose in all age categories: M 1003 (25 ± 65 y) and 877 ( b 65) mga24 h (P`0.001 vs 1984); F 923 (25 ± 50), 860 (51 ± 65) and 767 ( b 65) mga24 h (P`0.05). In 1992, 3 y after the NEP conclusion, calcium intake dropped in each sex and age category. The NEP in¯uenced vitamin D, phosphorus and magnesium intakes less. Conclusions: A collective NEP aimed at lowering saturated fats and cholesterol intakes, improves the calcium intake; in order to maintain their ef®cacy on nutritional habit changes, these programs must become an ongoing item.

BackgroundAdverse events have been reported post blood donation. Donors might refrain from donating again due to such events which lowers the blood supply in collection centers.AimThis study measured the incidence, predictors and severity of adverse events among donors of a single whole blood unit at one of the largest donation centers in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA retrospective cohort was conducted in 2015 to investigate the adverse events immediately post donation. Donor characteristics such as age, blood pressure, hemoglobin level, weight and history of donation were described and tested as potential risk predictors. Eligible blood donors were 18,936/24,634 (76.8%).ResultsIncidence of adverse events found 1.1% (208 donors), of which 0.65% had mild symptoms (chills; nausea; pallor; dizziness; nervousness; headache), while 0.45% had severe symptoms (hypotension; convulsions; syncope; respiratory distress; emesis). Multiple logistic regression showed that, the incidence of adverse events was significantly higher among young age donors <30 years RR[95%CI] = 1.58[1.18–2.12], p < 0.002, higher hemoglobin levels RR[95%CI] = 1.30[1.15–1.46], lower weight donors <75kg RR[95%CI] = 1.71[1.29–2.27], p <0.001 and first time donors RR[95%CI] = 2.21[1.64–2.97], p < 0.001 compared to older age donors ≥30, lower hemoglobin levels, heavier weight donors ≥ 75, and previous donors, respectively. More severe adverse events were observed among older and heavier donors, previous donors, lower hemoglobin levels and hypertensive donors but with no statistical significance.ConclusionYoung blood donors, donors with lower weight and first time donors are at higher risk of contracting adverse events. Higher hemoglobin level is also a potential risk predictor of adverse events post whole blood donation.

Adverse events (AEs) are unfortunate consequences of platelet donation. This study reports the incidence and severity of AEs and the associated risk factors in platelet donation at a major blood donation center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A review of donation records was conducted between 2014 and 2017. Eligible study participants were 5007 platelet donors who had donated 7969 times. Each donation was accounted for as a single study subject. Participants’ characteristics were described and analyzed as potential contributing factors to adverse events. The average age of platelet donors was 30.0±7.3 years. First-time donors comprised (n = 3,100, 61.9%) of the sample, and 1907 (38.1%) were multiple donors (periodic/routine). Their average BMI was 28.6 ± 4.9 kg/m 2 . Most donors have blood type “O” and Rheo “positive”. The range of blood volume processed was 0 to 5273 ml, while the procedure duration ranged from 0 to 90 minutes. The average platelet yield was 3.8 ± 3.5 ∗10 11 platelets per unit, and the average collected volume was 257.6 ± 86.1 ml. Incidence of AEs was 4.2%, of which 91.3% were mild and 8.7% were severe. AEs were vascular injuries (65.3%), vasovagal reactions (11.6%), and citrate toxicity (5.3%). AEs were associated with first-time donation, adj.OR (95%CI) = 1.5 (1.1–1.8) and lower BMI, adj. OR (95% CI) = 1.4 (1.1–1.8). Citrate toxicity was present in severe forms, unlike vascular injuries and vasovagal reactions that tended to be milder. Donors with hemoglobin levels above 16 g/dl, adj. OR (95% CI) = 1.3 (1.1–1.7) and platelet levels below 250,000, adj. OR (95% CI) = 1.3 (1.1–1.6) were more likely to contract AEs than others. Reporting adverse events is essential to establish a benchmark for the annual incidence rates to be compared against local and international figures. Blood donor centers should also take notice of blood donors characteristics that are associated with higher incidence and more severe forms of AEs during or after platelet donation.