J Clin Pathol Qual Control.  1999 Jun;21(1):223-228.

Evaluation of the TEST 1 for Measuring Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

• Shin KS
• Kim JS
• Son BR

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test is a diagnostically nonspecific and insensitive laboratory test, it is still considered a reliable indirect indicator of the acute or chronic inflammatory process. The TEST 1 ESR system is fully automated analyzer for measurement of ESR and is less time consuming, reduces the biohazards and requires less sample volume.
METHODS
We compared TEST 1 ESR system with the modified Westergren ESR method and Diesse Ves-Matic 20 for 112 samples. The reproducibility and stability of the TEST 1 were evaluated.
RESULTS
The TEST 1 showed close correlation with the modified Westergren method (r=0.97) and the Diesse Ves-Matic system (r=0.95). The TEST 1 and Diesse Ves-Matic values showed good agreement with the modified Westergren values, although there were a tendency for slightly higher results than the modified Westergren values. The TEST 1 showed acceptable reproducibility. The stability according to time and temperature decreased to 61.7% at room temperature (RT) and to 19% at 4degrees C after 24 hr.
CONCLUSIONS
The TEST 1 is safe, precise, accurate and easy to use in a clinical setting for measuring ESR. This system can reduce the workload and /requires minimal maintenance in clinical laboratory.

MeSH Terms

Blood Sedimentation*
Erythrocytes*
Hazardous Substances
Hazardous Substances