The effect of age on normal values of the Westergren sedimentation rate

Abstract

SYNOPSIS Westergren sedimentation rates were done on 603 healthy blood donors. The results showed an increase in the normal values with age. The normal values found in this series were higher than those generally accepted as normal.The commonly accepted normal values for the Westergren method of determining the sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) are 3-5 mm. in the first hour for males and 7-12 mm. for females (Whitby and Britton, 1963). During routine blood testing we found a number of apparently normal persons whose E.S.R. exceeded these ranges, and in order to assess the significance of this finding, we undertook a survey of the E.S.R. in healthy blood donors. The results showed that the normal E.S.R. is dependent on age as well as sex. METHODSWe used Dawson's (1960) been withdrawn by a vacuum method. Through the intravenous set which had been used for the donation a further 5 ml. of blood was aspirated into an evacuated 5 ml. bijou bottle containing 5 mg. of sequestrene (E.D.T.A.). The bijou bottles were left standing at room temperature for one to three hours and then mixed on a rotary mixer for a minimum of two minutes. Exactly 2 ml. of blood from each sample was then mixed in another bottle with exactly 0 5 ml. of 3 8 % sodium citrate solution, the same rotary mixer being again used for at least two minutes. One standard Westergren pipette was filled from each sample by drawing blood above the zero mark and allowing it to run back to avoid the 'reflux' effect (Alexander, 1953). The tubes were suspended for one hour and read, the reading being corrected for temperature (Manley, 1957). Room temperatures varied from 20 to 24°C. RESULTSA total of 603 unselected blood donors was tested in two series. The first consisted of 182 males and 114 females. These were divided into five age groups: 18-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and over 60 years. The mean value and standard deviation were calculated for each age group and showed a steady increase with age. In order to check this result a second series of 213 males and 94 females was tested, and similar figures were obtained for the means and standard

Value of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a screening test.

“…The tendency for the ESR to rise with age is well known (Ansell and Bywaters, 1958;Dawson, 1960;Boyd and Hoffbrand, 1966). Our results (Table I) confirm this and indicate a tendency for the rise to flatten out after age 60 (Hilder and Gunz, 1964). There was a considerable fluctuation in mean value from month to month, but a general pattern of high values in spring and autumn and low values in summer appeared (Table II).…”

Soluble CD14 and CD14 Polymorphisms in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…The association of older age with higher sCD14 concentrations in this study is highly consistent with similar age-related changes reported in the expression of other acute-phase reactants. Age-related increases have been shown for ESR in addition to a number of specific acute-phase proteins including fibrinogen, alpha-1-anti trypsin, haptoglobin, and others 42,43,44 .…”

Inhibitors of the Fibrinolytic Enzyme System in Renal Disease

“…All were free from symptoms of chronic and intercurrent disease and had a blood sedimentation rate (Westergren) in the normal range (Hilder & Gunz, 1964). Control activator levels were obtained from patients convalescent from a variety of minor disorders which have been found not to affect fibrinolytic activity.…”