The regression of small rheumatoid nodules was noted in four patients after starting sulphasalazine therapy. This coincided with an improvement in synovitis and also falls in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reactive protein (CRP). The relation between the nodule regression and the sulphasalazine therapy is discussed.

The Expert Panel on Blood Rheology of the International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) has prepared new recommendations for measurement of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) under the following categories: 1. ICSH reference method-ICSH now recognises, as its reference method for the ESR, the sedimentation of EDTA-anticoagulated but undiluted blood in traditional Westerg...

BACKGROUND Pneumatic tube systems (PTSs) for the transport of blood samples are regaining popularity in medical centers after earlier reports that their use could introduce preanalytical distortions such as hemolysis and changes in blood gases. METHODS We drew duplicate blood samples from 30 volunteers. One sample was hand transported, and the other sample was transported through a PTS togeth...

BACKGROUND Insulin resistance is associated with low-grade inflammatory response. The probability that the acute-phase response is associated with enhanced erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation was not explored. METHODS The degree of erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation was evaluated by using a simple slide test. The insulin resistance was evaluated by insulin and glucose concentrations after ...

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) remains the most widely used laboratory test for monitoring the course of infections, inflammatory diseases, and some types of cancer. Several test methods have been developed recently, and as a result the safety and reliability of ESR testing procedures have improved. The method recommended by the International Council for Standardization in Haematology...

BACKGROUND We investigated and compared the capacity of mean platelet volume (MPV) and other inflammatory markers in detecting Crohn's disease (CD) activity and differentiating CD patients from healthy controls. METHODS MPV, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cells were measured in 61 CD patients and 50 healthy subjects. Disease activity was assesse...

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to investigate serum IL17 levels in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and to investigate the relationship between serum IL17 levels with disease activity. METHODS Fifty patients with CD and sex- and age-matched 40 healthy controls were included in the study. The serum IL17 levels, complete blood count, blood chemistry, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)...

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are markers of inflammatory conditions and have been used extensively by clinicians both in outpatient and inpatient settings. It is important to understand the physiologic principles behind these two tests so clinicians may use them appropriately. For example, fibrinogen (for which ESR is an indirect measure) has a much longer h...

The need for reliable biomarkers for monitoring disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing. This study aimed at characterizing the correlation between serum sTREM-1 levels and diseases activity in Chinese patients with UC. Consecutive 76 patients with UC and 20 healthy subjects were prospectively enrolled. The disease activity of UC was assessed according to Mayo Sc...