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Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Correspondence
Erythrocyte
sedimentation
rate
Reply
To the Editor:
To the Editor:
In the very instructive article by Sheldon L. Spector and Richard S. Farr, “The heterogeneity of asthmatic patients-an individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment,” which appeared on page 499 of the May, 1976, issue of the JOURNAL, in the section on laboratory findings, the authors did not mention a very important test, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). I have noticed such unjustified omission of the sedimentation test in many published elaborate descriptions of clinical cases in various journals. I consider this simple, rapid, and easily performed test to be of great diagnostic value and frequently also a reliable objective indicator of the success of treatment or the state of the patient. It is indispensable in any ‘: individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment.” I hope I am not “crushing into open gates.”
We agree with Dr. Lass that the ESR is a useful laboratory test. In actual practice we obtain it routinely on all of our inpatients. We did not include the ESR in our discussion of laboratory studies because we felt that it lacked predictive value in separating out the hetereogeneity of our asthmatic patients. However, as we mentioned in the section on discharge diagnosis, our scheme “may be modified according to greater or lesser capacities of other institutions or in office practice.” Therefore, if another investigator feels that the ESR is a useful addition to the data base, it can easily be included under laboratory tests. We appreciate your interest in our approach.
“ROKACH”
Vol.
59, No. 2, p. 182
Nathan Lass, M.D. Allergy Department (Hadassah) Hospital Tel Aviv, Israel
Sheldon
L. Spector, R. S. Farr, Denver,
M.D. M.D. Colo.
Erythrocyte
sedimentation
rate
Reply
To the Editor:
To the Editor:
In the very instructive article by Sheldon L. Spector and Richard S. Farr, “The heterogeneity of asthmatic patients-an individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment,” which appeared on page 499 of the May, 1976, issue of the JOURNAL, in the section on laboratory findings, the authors did not mention a very important test, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). I have noticed such unjustified omission of the sedimentation test in many published elaborate descriptions of clinical cases in various journals. I consider this simple, rapid, and easily performed test to be of great diagnostic value and frequently also a reliable objective indicator of the success of treatment or the state of the patient. It is indispensable in any ‘: individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment.” I hope I am not “crushing into open gates.”
We agree with Dr. Lass that the ESR is a useful laboratory test. In actual practice we obtain it routinely on all of our inpatients. We did not include the ESR in our discussion of laboratory studies because we felt that it lacked predictive value in separating out the hetereogeneity of our asthmatic patients. However, as we mentioned in the section on discharge diagnosis, our scheme “may be modified according to greater or lesser capacities of other institutions or in office practice.” Therefore, if another investigator feels that the ESR is a useful addition to the data base, it can easily be included under laboratory tests. We appreciate your interest in our approach.
“ROKACH”
Vol.
59, No. 2, p. 182
Nathan Lass, M.D. Allergy Department (Hadassah) Hospital Tel Aviv, Israel
Sheldon
L. Spector, R. S. Farr, Denver,
M.D. M.D. Colo.