Comparative Study Between the Classical Westergren and the New Sealed Vacuum Extraction Methods for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Determination

VIROJ WIWANITKIT, M.D.*, ATCHASAI SIRITA NTIKORN, M.Sc. *

Affiliation : *Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.

AbstractA comparative study between the classical Westergren and the new sealed vacuum extrac tion methods for erythrocyte sedimentation rate determination was performed on 80 individual subjects. The comparison-of-methods plot sealed vacuum extraction method (X) vs Westergren method (Y) gave a least square linear regression equation of Y 1.001 X + 0.03 (r=0.99) and precision analysis gave a coefficient of variation below 3 per cent. Compared to the classical method, the sealed vacuum extraction method was easy to use, showed acceptable precision and reduced biohazard risk to the practitioner, therefore, it was suitable for a laboratory setting with a high rate of blood-borne infectious diseases such as Thailand.

Keywords : Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Comparative Study, Westergren vs New Sealed Vacuum Extraction

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