The Rapid Alternative Methods for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Measurement

Surapon Tangvarasittichai; Kunchit Kongros; Orathai Tangvarasittichai

Surapon Tangvarasittichai Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 Thailand
Kunchit Kongros Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 Thailand
Orathai Tangvarasittichai Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 Thailand

Keywords: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Westergren method, Wintrobe with centrifugation, capillary tube with centrifugation.

Abstract

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measurement is the most widely used in laboratory test to assess an inflammation. We try to introduce our two rapid alternative methods for ESR measurement. Four hundred forty nine blood samples were performed the ESR measurements by using Westergren, Wintrobe with centrifugation (Win-C) and capillary tube (Cap-C) with centrifugation methods. Win-C and Cap-C methods were significantly correlated with Westergren method by using Spearman rank correlation. Both Win-C and Cap-C methods were demonstrated the good % of sensitivity, % of specificity, % of positive predictive value, % of negative predictive value and cut-off point by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis. Both methods demonstrated acceptable agreement with the conventional ESR measurements and appear to be a faster, easier and safety.