Is having sex with other men a risk factor for transfusion-transmissible infections in male blood donors in Western countries? A systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although increased prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTI) among "men who have sex with men" (MSM) has been well documented, the exclusion of MSM as blood donors is contested. The aim of this systematic review is to find studies that describe the risk of TTI in MSM blood donors.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cinahl, and Web of Science, and used GRADE for determining evidence quality. We included studies comparing MSM and non-MSM blood donors (or people eligible to give blood), living in areas most relevant for our Blood Service.

Results

Out of 18 987 articles, 14 observational studies were included. Two studies directly compared MSM with non-MSM donors showing that MSM donors have a

SUBMITTER: De Buck E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4398316 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature