Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) measures the suspension stability of the erythrocytes. When whole blood is mixed with an anticoagulant and placed in a perpendicular tube, the red blood cells sink because they are heavier than the plasma in which they are suspended.
Results are expressed in millimeters per hour, ESR is a simple, inexpensive laboratory test as a sickness.
Factors which affect ESR;
1. Temperature
2. The angle of ESR tube
3. The time after collection
4. The bore and length of ESR tube
5. Number and size of erythrocyte
6. Anticoagulant
7. Composition of blood plasma
8. Gender and age
All data analyzed by means of Mean, Standard deviaticn, t-test.
The results obtained were as follows;
1. ESR mean value is 24.6mm/hr in 37´C, 17.4mm/hr in room temperature, 4.7mm/hr in 4´ C. Statistically significant differences existed between the means of 37´C & 40C. (P<0.01)
2. ESR mean value 16.9 mm/hr in 80´, 10.4mm/hr in 85´, 5.8mm/hr in 90´. Statistically significant differences existed between the means of 80´ & 90´ (P<0.05)
3. ESR mean value 7.3mm/hr in 30 min, 6. lmm/hr in 2hr, 5. lmm/hr in 3hr after collection. No statistically significant difference existed between each collecting time.
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