A Comparative Evaluation of Macro and Micro Methods for Determination of ESR and PCV in Health and Disease

ABSTRACT

Background: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is the rate at which erythrocytes settle down when anticoagulated blood is allowed to stand in a vertical column for a particular period (usually during 1st. hour) and the length of fall of the top of the column of erythrocytes in the given interval of time determines the erythrocytes sedimentation rate. The micro methods of estimation of ESR and PCV have been developed to overcome the drawbacks of macro methods, especially of taking blood sample by venepuncture. Methods: The present study was undertaken to compare ESR and PCV values as estimated by macro and micro methods in diseased and healthy subjects to define the cut off levels of ESR and PCV (Micro method) for the children and adults. When the mean values and the various percentiles obtained by micro method were compared with that of macro method, in healthy and diseased children, healthy and diseased male and female adults, none of them showed any statiscal significant difference. Results: The results of hematocrits by both methods on individual basis were compared. Conclusion: It was noticed that there was a close approximation of the readings in each case in micro and macro methods: