Background: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test is one of the most widely performed laboratory test to assess acute phase of inflammation, infection, autoimmune or malignancy. The reference method for ESR measurement was introduced by Westergren. This method is generally easy, un-expensive, yet, time consuming. Automatic instrument has been introduced to decrease the measurement time. Caretium XC-A30 is automatic instrument to measure ESR; it is used in Sanglah General Hospital Denpasar without previous research. Aim of this study was to assess comparison, correlation and agreement of Caretium XC- A30 to the reference method.
Methods: A total of 35 samples in consecutive sampling were taken during August 2018 at Sanglah General Hospital, Denpasar. The samples were examined for ESR with Caretium XC-A30 and manual Westergren. Comparison, correlation and agreement were tested for both methods used.
Results: The Westergren method was the reference method and Caretium XC-A30 was the tested method. Wilcoxon signed rank test showed no difference between two methods (p= 0.439). There was a very strong correlation and excellent agreement showed by Spearman coefficient correlation r= 0.989 and kappa coefficient 0.942.
Conclusion: This study showed no difference between Caretium XC-A30 and Westergren as the reference method for ESR measurement, with very strong correlation and excellent agreement. Thus, Caretium XC-A30 has a potential use in performing ESR measurement with high throughput and lesser time than manual Westergren method.
