Health-related quality of life in peripheral blood stem cell donors and bone marrow donors: a prospective study in Japan

Abstract

Understanding of the impact of stem cell donation on donors' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) remains limited. A prospective observational study of eligible unrelated donors enrolled in the Japan Marrow Donor Program was conducted to compare HRQOL and adverse events (AEs) between peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) and bone marrow (BM) donors. In total, 107 PBSC donors and 108 BM donors were enrolled. HRQOL scores for physical status were significantly lower in BM donors 1 week post-harvest (P < 0.001), but there were no significant differences between the two groups at baseline or 3 months post-harvest. PBSC donors were more likely to experience AEs before harvest (P < 0.001). However, at harvest, moderate-to-severe AEs were more common in BM donors (P = 0.001). After harvest, all grades of AEs were significantly higher in BM donors (P < 0.001). Among BM donors, a lower total physical score at baseline [odds ratio (OR) 1.21], female sex [OR 2.71], and young donors (OR 3.08) were risk factors for moderate-to-severe AEs at harvest, while among PBSC donors, only female sex (OR 4.86) was a risk factor. Our findings show better HRQOL during PBSC donation. These data help support decision-making by potential donors.