A comparison of erythrocyte sedimentation rates of bloods anticoagulated with trisodium citrate and EDTA among TB presumptive patients at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was comparing the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) results of trisodium citrate (TSC) and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulants. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar specialized referral hospital, northwest, Ethiopia. A total of 70 TB presumptive participants were recruited. From each of the 70 participants of the study, 3 and 1.6 ml of blood was collected in EDTA tubes and 0.4 ml of trisodium Citrate anticoagulant containing test tubes, respectively. Results: The mean ± SD values of ESR were 57.9 ± 41.45 mm/hr in EDTA and 50.99 ± 43.5 mm/hr in TSC anticoagulated blood. The mean difference of ESR values between EDTA and TSC blood (6.91 ± 13.66 mm/hr) was statistically significant. The Mean ± SD of ESR values using EDTA and TSC in males were 59.57 ± 42.31 and 53.57 ± 44.61 mm/hr while for females it was 54.71±40.44 and 46.04 ± 41.82 mm/hr, respectively. The study indicated that there was a significant difference between ESR values with EDTA and tri-sodium citrate anticoagulants. Keywords: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, EDTA, Tri-sodium citrate, Westergren Method, Comparison