The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) remains one of the most widely used laboratory tests. Its clinical usefulness and interpretation are in the monitoring of inflammatory diseases, in particular ...rheumatoid arthritis, temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. At present, the reference method for measuring the ESR proposed by the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) utilizes EDTA-anticoagulated-undiluted blood to perform the test using the method described by Westergren in 1921. Current interest in the methodology focuses on the development of an automated closed system that allows the determination of the sedimentation rate with selected working methods, using a single sample for more than one haematological test, improving the bio-hazardous aspects of the testing procedures. As a consequence, standardization becomes necessary. ESR results should be reliable, despite the increased number of different methods and testing variables. Control materials and External Quality Assurance Schemes are now available, and should be used. In conclusion, innovative techniques may improve the appropriateness and usefulness of ESR in clinical practice, but in addition, they need to guarantee the traceability of results in comparison to the reference method in order to ensure comparability of results among different clinical laboratories.
Brzina sedimentacije eritrocita (ESR) ostaje jedan od najčešće korišćenih laboratorijskih testova. Kliničku primenu i korisnost ovaj test ima u praćenju inflamatornih bolesti, naročito reumatoidnog artritisa, temporalnog arteritisa i reumatske polimijalgije. Referentni metod za merenje ESR predložen od strane Međunarodnog komiteta za standardizaciju u hematologiju koristi punu krv sa antikoagulansom EDTA za izvođenje testa pomoću metode koju je 1921. opisao Westergren. Trenutno zanimanje za metodologiju fokusirano je na razvoj automatizovanih zatvorenih sistema koji omogućavaju određivanje brzine sedimentacije uz odabrane radne metode, koje koriste jedan uzorak za više hematoloških testova i unapređuju biohazardne aspekte postupka testiranja. Usled toga, standardizacija postaje neophodna. Rezultati ESR moraju biti pouzdani uprkos povećanom broju različitih metoda i varijabli za testiranje. Danas su dostupni kontrolni materijali i šeme za osiguranje spoljašnjeg kvaliteta i treba ih koristiti. Dakle, inovativne tehnike mogu dalje opravdati korisnost ESR u kliničkoj praksi, ali pored toga moraju garantovati sledivost rezultata u poređenju sa referentnom metodom kako bi se obezbedila uporedivost rezultata između više kliničkih laboratorija.
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