Skip to main content
Journal of Clinical Pathology logoLink to Journal of Clinical Pathology
. 1977 Apr;30(4):345–349. doi: 10.1136/jcp.30.4.345

A comparison of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma viscosity in detecting changes in plasma proteins.

R M Hutchinson, R D Eastham
PMCID: PMC476408  PMID: 67127

Abstract

The Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and plasma viscosity were compared in 114 patients and their correlations with total and differential plasma protein fractions were analysed. There is a linear correlation between these two screening tests. Higher correlation coefficients were obtained between the plasma viscosity and fibrinogen and alpha and gamma globulins than with the ESR. Albumin affected the two tests in opposite directions. The ESR was falsely increased by a fall in haemoglobulin even within two standard deviations from the mean. Both tests gave an appreciable number of incorrect values--the plasma viscosity in 21 cases and the ESR in 33. The cause for these is discussed. It is concluded that the plasma viscosity is the more sensitive and reliable measure of changes in acute phase protein reactants and more useful for monitoring clinical progress.

Full text

PDF
348

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Alper C. A. Plasma protein measurements as a diagnostic aid. N Engl J Med. 1974 Aug 8;291(6):287–290. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197408082910606. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bull B. S., Brecher G. An evaluation of the relative merits of the Wintrobe and Westergren sedimentation methods, including hematocrit correction. Am J Clin Pathol. 1974 Oct;62(4):502–510. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/62.4.502. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Crockson R. A., Crockson A. P. Relationship of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate to viscosity and plasma proteins in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 1974 Jan;33(1):53–56. doi: 10.1136/ard.33.1.53. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. EASTHAM R. D., DENSON K. W., EVANS D. A. The effects of sodium citrate and potassium ammonium oxalate on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Acta Med Scand. 1958 Jun 30;161(4):277–288. doi: 10.1111/j.0954-6820.1958.tb15545.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. EASTHAM R. D., MORGAN E. H. PLASMA VISCOSITY IN CLINICAL LABORATORY PRACTICE. J Med Lab Technol. 1965 Apr;22:70–73. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Harkness J. The viscosity of human blood plasma; its measurement in health and disease. Biorheology. 1971 Dec;8(3):171–193. doi: 10.3233/bir-1971-83-408. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Harris G. J. Plasma viscometry and E.S.R. in the elderly. Med Lab Technol. 1972 Oct;29(4):405–410. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Clinical Pathology are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES