Comparison of TEST 1 with SRS 100 and ICSH reference method for the measurement of the length of sedimentation reaction in blood

Background: We evaluated the measurement of length of sedimentation reaction in blood ( LSRB) by TEST 1 and compared the results with those for the Westergren and Sed Rate Screener 100 ( SRS 100) methods. Methods: LSRB was measured in 113 paired blood samples. Results: TEST 1 correlated significantly with the Westergren ( r=0.94) and SRS 100 ( r=0.90) methods with low bias ( -0.29 and -1.92 mm/h, respectively) and limits of agreement ( -14.5 to 13.9, and -23.4 to 19.6 mm/h, respectively). Hematocrit ( Htc) correlated negatively with LSRB in TEST 1 ( r=-0.54) and SRS 100 ( r=-0.53) only in samples with high Htc ( >= 35%). The bias and limits of agreement between TEST 1 and Westergren in samples with low ( -1.46 and -22.3 to 19.3 mm/h) and high ( 0.43 and -7.29 to 8.14 mm/h) Htc were comparable to those between SRS 100 and Westergren ( 1.83 and -27.2 to 30.9 mm/h for low, 0.71 and -7.27 to 8.70 mm/h for high Htc samples). Total protein and fibrinogen correlated similarly with LSRB in both TEST 1 ( r=0.23 and 0.48, respectively) and SRS 100 ( r=0.30 and 0.51, respectively). Conclusions: The findings suggested that TEST 1 is a reliable, precise and accurate system for measurement of LSRB in clinical laboratories with high workload.