THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SAMPLING AND ERROR SOURCES OF THE RED CELL SEDIMENTATION RATE FOR DENTAL MEDICINE

Background and objectives: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate test guides dentists in the suspicion of inflammatory reactions or infections of the dental focus. In 1981, Kondi mentioned that any delay after blood sampling for the purpose of determining the ESR can lead to a false shortening of the result. The literature indicates that failure to determine within 1 hour and remixing of blood are not recommended. The objectives of our study were to verify the stability of the determinations within 4 hours after storage at room temperature and after 12 hours of refrigeration, involving also the remixing manoeuvre. Materials and Methods:The study was performed in the “St. SpiridonˮHospital of Iași, Romania, on 75 samples, taking also into account the rejected samples presenting source of error. Results: The study showed that 4 (5.33%) samples had an inadequate volume, 3 (4%) showed erythrocyte and fibrin in suspension, preventing the interpretation of the result, whereas the clot was identified in 4 (5.33%) samples. Following 4 hours after the first determination, respectively after 12 hours of refrigeration, rebalancing at room temperature and remixing, forout of the 64 (85.33%) determinations the results were comparable showing a close correlation (r = 0.988 / 0.993 / 0.990, p <0.001) with the first determination. Conclusions: The study showed that performing the test 4 hours after sampling, refrigerating and remixing the sample does not influence the stability of the determination, so that, also in the case of dental patients, the moment of sampling and the time elapsed until the determination of the test, do not influence the therapeutic conduct.