Σ ESR

An Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Adjusted for the Hematocrit and Hemoglobin Concentration

Pawlotsky, Yves MD
Goasguen, Jean MD
Guggenbuhl, Pascal MD
Veillard, Eric MD
Jard, Christine PharmD
Pouchard, Michel MD
Perdriger, Aleth MD, PhD
Meadeb, Jean MD
Chalès, Gérard MD

¹Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Rennes, Rennes, France
²Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital of Rennes, Rennes, France
³Health Investigation Center, Disease Insurance Fund, Rennes, France

Address reprint requests to Dr Pawlotsky: Service de Rhumatologie, Hôpital SUD, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, 35203 Rennes Cedex 2, France.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology 122(5):p 802-810, November 01, 2004. | DOI: 10.1309/8H4L45F5G0G1VKY1

The aim of the study was to simplify the first Σ erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) method (manual hematocrit adjustment to 0.35, sum of 4 sedimentation levels) and to confirm its clinical relevance. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate of undiluted blood samples from 576 patients was measured simultaneously with and without manual hematocrit adjustment to 0.35 to identify an approximate expression of the area under the curve and a formula for calculating the Σ ESR.

The Σ ESR formula was based on the sum of 2 unadjusted sedimentation levels, at 30 and 60 minutes, together with the hematocrit value and the hemoglobin concentration. Σ ESR values in 274 healthy subjects showed a gaussian distribution, no difference between men and women, and no significant increase with age. In recent-onset arthritis or disk-related lumbosciatic syndrome, Σ ESR seemed to be a more reliable marker of inflammation than the Westergren ESR and C-reactive protein. We also obtained data clarifying the controversial relationship of ESR with lipid levels and arterial hypertension.