Stool analysis for dysbacteriosis and coprogram: what is the difference? Quantitative and qualitative research

A blood test is the most popular and informative test, so doctors often prescribe it to their patients to diagnose diseases or confirm preliminary diagnoses. In some cases, the appointment is made for a general blood test, in others - for biochemistry. Let's figure out how a clinical blood test and a biochemical blood test differ, and what can they tell the doctor?

What are the differences?

Blood tests are carried out for various reasons: during routine medical examinations, in preparation for surgery, and also when symptoms of any disease appear. Depending on what information the doctor needs to obtain in decoding, the patient may be prescribed a clinical test (also called a general test) or blood biochemistry.

In what cases is a clinical blood test and biochemical blood test indicated?

A study such as biochemical analysis makes it possible to assess the condition and functionality of internal organs. Considering that the liver, kidneys, pancreas and other internal organs produce various enzymes, hormones, proteins, biologically active and mineral substances, a deviation of their concentration in the blood from the norm makes it possible to identify an organ with pathology. The same analysis will tell you which microelements the body feels are deficient or excessive.

This type of analysis is often used when conducting diagnostic examinations in endocrinology, cardiology, therapy, gastroenterology and other areas of medicine.

Clinical analysis helps to assess the general condition of the body, identify the presence of inflammatory processes and the stage of their development (onset, acute phase, attenuation), and detect.

Typically, each study determines the parameters of certain blood parameters. However, in some cases, the doctor may need a detailed analysis, which will include additional indicators. Both general and biochemical analysis can be detailed.

If you are confused, your doctor sent you for a general or biochemical blood test, be sure to clarify this again. The fact is that in order to obtain reliable examination results, you should prepare for a biochemical analysis over several days.

Another difference between these studies is the sample collection method.

For clinical analysis, blood is taken from a finger, and for biochemical analysis - from a peripheral vein.

For each age group, the average statistical norms of blood parameters have been determined. In addition, the decoding results will differ between women and men due to the specific hormonal background of the female body.

Clinical analysis

The main indicators that are examined when conducting a general analysis are:

• erythrocyte sedimentation rate (which is abbreviated as ESR),
• hemoglobin level,
• number of leukocytes and erythrocytes,

Let's take a closer look at each decryption parameter.

• Hemoglobin. This complex iron-containing (hence the name hema-, which means iron) protein, which is a component of red blood cells, ensures the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the cells of other organs and carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. A low level of this protein indicates the presence of anemia, which can be caused by intense bleeding, blood diseases, or lack of iron or folic acid. Excessively high hemoglobin levels may be a symptom of congenital heart disease, cardiopulmonary insufficiency, intestinal constipation, erythrocytosis, or be a consequence of intense physical activity.
• ESR. This indicator is based on the tendency of red blood cells to adhere, as a result of which the formed complexes settle to the bottom of the tube. During inflammatory processes, adhesion increases significantly, which is why red blood cells settle in the blood plasma faster. In this case, they speak of an increased value of the subsidence rate. High ESR can also be a symptom of infectious diseases, intoxication of the body, autoimmune disorders, the appearance of malignant neoplasms, and myocardial infarction. Normally, the ESR value for women is higher than for men. A low ESR value is very rare. It can be observed in patients with muscular dystrophy, overhydration of the body, blood diseases, as well as in people on a diet or vegetarianism, and in women in the first trimesters of pregnancy.
• Red blood cells. The number of red blood cells in the blood of men is usually higher than that of women. A low red blood cell count can be caused by blood loss, anemia, or iron or vitamin B12 deficiency. An increased content (erythrocytosis) indicates dehydration of the body due to high fever, diarrhea or excessive sweating, which is typical for intestinal infections. It can also be a symptom of kidney and liver disease, disorders of the hematopoietic system.
• Leukocytes. White blood cells are responsible for immune defense mechanisms. Their number decreases with autoimmune diseases, influenza, viral hepatitis, and the appearance of malignant tumors affecting the bone marrow. An increased level of leukocytes indicates the presence of an inflammatory process, the development of pneumonia or bronchitis, meningitis, peritonitis or pancreatitis and other serious diseases.
• Platelets. These microparticles of blood are the main indicator of its clotting. During the activation of platelets, processes are formed that are much larger than the size of the particle itself, which help to block the damaged vessel and stop blood loss. During pregnancy and menstruation, the level of platelets in a woman's blood can be two times lower than normal, and this is a natural condition. A large number of platelets may indicate lymphogranulomatosis, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia, osteomyelitis, liver or kidney cancer, tuberculosis, enteritis, the presence of acute infections, dysfunction of bone marrow stem cells and other diseases. Their number increases sharply during stress and with large blood losses. Platelet deficiency accompanies some genetic diseases, tumor diseases, and cirrhosis.

Biochemical analysis

Through a biochemical study, it is possible to determine the level of glucose, urea, bilirubin, liver enzymes and other indicators. Let's look at some of them.

• The level of total protein contained in the blood plasma indicates diseases of the internal organs and problems with the blood. Increased rates are typical for rheumatism, infectious diseases, and oncology. Low levels of protein are observed in diseases of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, intestines, and acute bleeding.
• Glucose is the main marker of carbohydrate metabolism. A reduced concentration is characteristic of pancreatic hyperplasia, as well as cancer of the adrenal glands or stomach, and can occur with the development of adenoma. Excessive glucose levels are observed in diabetes mellitus, kidney, pancreas and liver diseases, as well as endocrine system dysfunction and myocardial infarction.
• Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin, which is part of red blood cells. It has a red-yellow color and is responsible for the correct functioning of the liver and bile ducts. An increased pigment content indicates hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer, toxic poisoning, cholelithiasis.
• Uric acid is a breakdown product of individual proteins. Normally, it is excreted by the kidneys, and the remaining amount is excreted in feces. But in case of renal failure, leukemia, overdose of alcohol or diuretics, its level may increase.
• Urea is a compound produced by the liver that characterizes the filtration capacity of the kidneys. A high level of urea indicates kidney disease, impaired urine outflow, large blood loss, and cardiovascular failure. A reduced level is observed during pregnancy or indulging in diets and vegetarianism, poisoning with toxic substances, and liver disease.

An extensive biochemical analysis contains more than 40 different indicators, however, in practice, fewer studies are sufficient to diagnose a patient.

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative research? To put it simply, quantitative research generates numerical data that can be converted into numbers. Qualitative research produces non-numerical data.

In quantitative research, only data that can be measured is collected and analyzed.

Qualitative research focuses on collecting primarily verbal data rather than measurement. The collected information is analyzed in an interpretative, subjective, impressionistic or even diagnostic manner.

1. Purpose of the study

The primary goal of qualitative research is to provide a complete, detailed description of the research topic. It is usually more refined in nature.

Quantitative research, on the other hand, focuses more on counting and classifying features and building statistical models and numbers to explain what is observed.

2.Usage

Qualitative research is ideal for the earlier phases of research work, while quantitative research is recommended for the latter part of the research. The latter, compared to qualitative research, gives the researcher a clearer picture of what to expect during the course of the study.

3. Data collection tools

In quantitative research, the researcher serves as the primary data collection instrument. Here the researcher uses different data collection strategies depending on the thrust or approach of the study. Examples of data collection strategies used in qualitative research are individual in-depth interviews, structured and unstructured interviews, focus groups, narrative, content, or document analysis, participant observation, and archival research.

On the other hand, quantitative research uses tools such as questionnaires, surveys, measurements and other techniques to accumulate numerical or measurable data.

4. Data type

The presentation of data in qualitative research is in the form of words (interviews) and images (videos) or objects (artifacts). In qualitative research, numbers are more likely to appear in the form of graphs. But in quantitative research, data is often presented in tables containing numbers and statistics.

5. Approach

Qualitative research is primarily subjective in approach as it seeks to understand human behavior and the reasons that underlie such behavior. Scientists tend to become subjectively immersed in content in this type of research.

In quantitative research, scientists tend to objectively distance themselves from the topic. This is why quantitative research is objective in approach in the sense that it seeks only precise measurements and analysis of the target concepts to answer the question.

Determining the Method to Use

The debate continues to this day as to why one method is better than another. The reason why there is still no definitive answer is because any method has pros and cons, which vary depending on the topic of discussion.

If a study seeks to answer a question through numerical evidence, then quantitative research must be used.

However, if you want to explain why a particular thing happened, or why a specific phenomenon occurs, you need to use qualitative research.

Some studies combine both types, allowing them to complement each other. For example, if you want to find out which human behavior is dominant in connection with a certain object or event, and at the same time the goal is to find out why this is the case, then using both methods would be ideal.

When visiting a doctor, the patient often does not understand why the doctor prescribes this or that test. Since blood tests are carried out frequently, the question of how a general blood test differs from a clinical one worries many. Let's figure out what each of them means and what is the difference between them.

When reading the indicators of a clinical blood test and a general analysis, the difference or similarity is not difficult to understand. Why is there no single study that covers all aspects?

Blood is a multipolar fluid, an indicator of the state of the body. This is a transport and protective system, so it contains cells responsible for human immunity and health. There are also hormones that “manage” the work of organs, waste products of cells, oxygen, and beneficial substances that they feed on. Blood, in addition to its base - plasma, includes hundreds of elements that serve or are removed from the body.

To obtain information about a specific parameter, for example: the amount of insulin, which indicates the functioning of the pancreas, an analysis is needed to study this parameter; there is no point in studying all the blood. Each referral or suspicion of disease requires research only in the required area. The results of a general blood test or clinical blood test refer to one type of research.

What kind of research is this?

What is a clinical blood test and complete blood count? The answer is simple - the most common studies that cover parameters that allow the doctor to judge the condition of the body.

There are “formed elements” in the blood, which perform basic functions. There should be an amount of each particle depending on the age and gender of the person. If they go beyond the limits, then this indicates that something in the body is not happening as it should.

This analysis is indispensable in the treatment of colds. Often, when characteristic signs appear, a person does not go to the hospital, but goes to the pharmacy, buys an antiviral and takes unnecessary pills, develops complications and goes to the hospital with a “bunch of troubles” that are not easy to cure. The CBC will determine whether bacteria or viruses are to blame for the illness. So what is the difference between clinical and general blood tests?

What is the difference between KAK and OAK?

Complete blood count and clinical analysis are the same thing. One set of parameters of shaped elements is studied. Blood for both studies is taken from both a vein and a finger.

A referral for analysis is issued almost every time a person appears in the hospital, since it allows you to collect comprehensive basic information about the functioning of the body, and then, if a problem is detected, refer the patient to a specialist. Typically, a general examination is prescribed by a general practitioner.

The difference between a general blood test and a clinical one is in the name. The first to appear was clinical analysis, however, due to the dissonant abbreviation - HOW, over time it was replaced by OAK, which sounds more decent.

How does CBC differ from other studies?

Having understood what its differences are from the clinical one, it is worth saying that the OAC is much simpler than other studies, for example: biochemical.

The difference is significant:

• If the general study “tolerates” the capillary one, then the biochemical analysis requires only the venous one, and in large quantities.
• The CBC examines the blood for a set number of parameters, biochemistry studies hormonal levels and a much larger number of nuances, taking into account the patient’s condition, his age and other indicators.
• A biochemical study is prescribed if serious diseases are suspected. Allows you to study the functioning of the body and identify the smallest deviations, localize the disease and prescribe treatment. The OAC only outlines the edges of the disease - it indicates the direction, not the problem.

Biochemistry takes a long time to complete, so you shouldn’t wait for results the next day. This is possible only if the patient was admitted in an acute form, and there is a suspicion of a disease that can be quickly calculated using analysis or in case of a large burn or internal bleeding.

What is studied in general KLA?

KLA includes the study of the following parameters:

A general practitioner, studying the indicators of a general, or clinical, blood test, will understand the approximate localization of the problem and refer the patient for examination to a specialist.

What is the norm of indicators in the analysis?

To understand whether everything is in order or not, you need to know the norm for each indicator. There are differences between indicators for patients of different ages and genders, so they are taken into account. We are talking about middle-aged men and women and children from 7 to 12 years old.

1. Hemoglobin in men ranges from 130 to 160 g/l, in children from 110 to 145, and in females from 120 to 140.
2. The red blood cell count is 4.0 – 5.1×1012 for males, 3.5 – 4.7×1012 for children and 3.7 – 4.7×1012 for women.
3. Blood color - 0.85 - 1.15.
4. Reticulocytes in children, as their body grows, range from 3 to 12%. With age, the norm falls, and a middle-aged person of any gender has 0.2-1.2%.
5. Platelets are within the range of 180 - 320×109, and in the younger generation they are smaller - 160 - 380×109.
6. Erythrocyte sedimentation rates vary. The norm for children is 4 - 12 mm/h, for women - 2-15 mm/h, for men - 1 - 10 mm/h.
7. Leukocytes – 4.0 – 9.0×109.
8. Bands in the blood of adults are 1-6%. Children have small frames - from 0.5 to 5%.
9. Segmented in the blood from 47 to 72%, and in children the range is lower - from 35 to 65%.
10. Eosinophils in a healthy adult body range from 0 to 5%. In children, the rate is normal – from 0.5 to 7%.
11. Basophils should not exceed 1%; the norm will be if the form indicates 0 in the indicator column.
12. Lymphocytes in the children's body - 24-54%. In adults, the rate is lower – from 18 to 40%.
13. Monocytes in both men and women of any age should not fall below 2% or rise above 9%.

The difference in indicators depends on both weight and chronic diseases, so the doctor will identify the diagnosis and problem. Speculation and attempts at self-treatment, especially if a serious illness is suspected, will end in serious consequences and complications.

How to prepare for taking the UAC?

Before performing an OAC, you must not eat for 12 hours before donating blood. Do not brush your teeth or consume tea, coffee or other drinks. This affects the internal organs and the results of the analysis. The only thing worth consuming in reasonable quantities is clean water.

General blood test and clinical, what is the difference? This is the same study that will determine the cause of the disease and indicate the direction for identifying complex “breakdowns” of the body.

Some of the patients undergoing examination and treatment at our GMS Clinic ask doctors why they are prescribed so many blood tests - clinical, biochemical, hormones, sugar. Perhaps someone is really interested in the differences between these tests; these people want to understand the logic of the diagnosticians and “trace” the progress of the diagnosis. But the majority, alas, are concerned about something else: they are wondering whether it is possible to avoid the costs of what they consider “unnecessary” tests.

We hasten to reassure you: GMS Clinic doctors never prescribe “unnecessary” examinations - our laboratory is already working more than hard. All blood tests prescribed by our specialists have only one goal: to eliminate all doubts and make the correct diagnosis. In mathematical terms, we do everything “necessary and sufficient” for this.

General clinical blood test

This analysis is prescribed most often. When performing it, a qualitative and quantitative assessment of blood composition is performed, that is, an assessment of the following parameters:

• Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
• Leukocytes (white blood cells)
• Leukocyte formula
• Color index
• ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
• Hemoglobin.

Human blood consists of cells suspended in plasma: red blood cells and white blood cells. There are also certain normal indicators that the quantitative and qualitative composition of a person’s blood must correspond to, depending on his gender and age (the number of certain cells per unit volume of blood, hemoglobin content in red blood cells, the state of red blood cells, which determines their sedimentation rate, etc. .). Deviations from this norm may indicate abnormal functioning of the body, the onset of an inflammatory process, or the development of a disease. These deviations from the norm are recorded by a general clinical blood test.

Sugar analysis

Blood sugar test performed to confirm or refute the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Since normal blood sugar levels depend on what a person ate and how long ago the person ate before taking the sample, a blood sugar test must be taken on an empty stomach (at least twelve hours must pass after the last meal).

A blood sugar test determines the level of sugar (glucose) in a blood sample and compares the results with normal levels. Determination of the level of glucose in the blood is also carried out during its biochemical analysis.

Blood chemistry

Blood chemistry determines the content of substances in the blood (glucose, urea, residual blood nitrogen, creatinine, bilirubin, cholesterol, proteins, etc.), enzymes and antibodies. The results of the analysis make it possible to judge the development of pathological changes and acute diseases in the body. Of course, the results of any analysis must be compared with the overall picture of the disease, that is, the diagnosis must be made by a qualified and experienced specialist.

Hormone tests

Our body regulates the processes occurring in it with the help of hormones - special substances that are produced by the endocrine glands. All changes occurring in the body associated with growth, maturation, the occurrence and development of pregnancy are accompanied by changes in hormonal levels, that is, with changes in the content of certain hormones in the human blood. Any disruption of the functioning of the endocrine glands leads to excessive or, conversely, insufficient formation, which immediately leads to developmental deviations or pathology. It is designed to control the level of hormones in the blood blood test for hormones.

Maximum attention and care to each patient - this principle guides all GMS Clinic employees, from the Chief Physician to the laboratory assistant. We are aimed at effectively curing people who contact us in the shortest possible time, and we do everything necessary for this. We try to save time for both doctors and patients, because sometimes time is crucial for the success of treatment, so we prescribe only those tests that our diagnosticians cannot do without.

In modern medicine, not a single diagnosis is determined without taking blood from a sick person for analysis. Analysis occupies one of the main places in identifying any disease among all laboratory diagnostic procedures. It helps to distinguish the presence of a pathology in a patient from an inflammatory process, identify abnormalities in hematopoiesis, and generally assess the physical condition of a potential patient.

The most common test in any clinic and medical center is considered to be a general blood test. It includes the definition:

• ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
• Blood hemoglobin concentrations.
• Number of red blood cells, platelets.
• Calculation of leukocyte formula.
• Other other important medical indicators.

Thanks to a general analysis, the doctor can formulate a complete picture of the disease; he will have information about inflammatory, infectious, and viral processes occurring in the human body. Such an analysis can even detect the presence of helminths and allergic reactions.

Analysis transcript

The study of a general blood test begins with a comparison of the indicators available on the patient’s form with generally accepted medical standards. Deviations in the indicators, up or down, will indicate to the medical worker the pathology the patient has or another development of the disease.

Modern medicine, which has made great strides forward today, allows you to find out most of the analysis indicators using an automatic machine. A device of this type, used in hematology analyzers, allows you to determine up to 24 parameters in one approach. These include:

1. Hemoglobin.
2. Red blood cells.
3. Leukocytes.
4. Platelets.
5. Color index, etc.

At the same time, it is customary to carry out a leukogram. Also, specialists can refer the patient for some additional and clarifying tests, for example, this is what they do if a person has severe bleeding or problems with blood clots.

Efficiency

A general blood test is characterized by simplicity and information content. To this day, a more universal, much less rapid, method of determining the disease has not been invented. The doctor makes a diagnosis based on reading the main number of factors; a single indicator and its full consideration are an ineffective method of research.

But still, a general blood test is not considered the most universal way to determine the disease. In order to avoid the possibility of a medical error, the specialist, being unsure of his conclusions about the disease, refers the sick person to undergo repeated tests. It is also common for a patient to undergo several other tests at the same time.

Every person at least once in his life donated blood, which was used to determine a clinical analysis. This kind of research is considered to be the main one of the entire diagnostic program. The importance of the analysis is associated with high information content and at the same time ease of implementation. There is no need to use expensive equipment to carry it out; it is carried out free of charge for people.

Assessing the basic blood parameters leads to determining the presence of any pathology in the body of a sick person and the course of its course. In medical practice, there are many diseases that can only be diagnosed by a clinical blood test.

Essence

This analysis is based on a comprehensive study of not only the main blood parameters, but also the cellular composition. This technique provides a real opportunity to assess the functioning of blood cells in accordance with accepted standards of normality, characteristic of all ages. Correctly determined results help to diagnose many diseases in a timely manner. This is due to the fact that the blood is forced to react to the stimulus in the form of pathology.

A clinical blood test allows you to determine basic level indicators:

• Leukocytes.
• Platelets.
• Red blood cells.
• Hemoglobin and so on.

Technique

Blood sampling, which is done by pricking a finger, removes a small amount of material in the form of a few drops of blood from the capillaries. These drops are then examined in the laboratory under a microscope by a laboratory assistant. In the automated version, samples are placed under a machine that examines the blood at lightning speed.

Common between analyzes

1. Both tests allow you to determine the presence of any disease in a person.
2. Donation is made by drawing blood by pricking a finger.

Difference

1. Clinical analysis is the most effective method of blood testing.
2. Clinical analysis consists of a huge range of studies.
3. Through clinical analysis, the hormonal level in the human body is determined.
4. The general analysis does not consider the full set of blood parameters.
5. A general analysis may be part of a clinical one.
6. A general blood test is the most commonly prescribed test by doctors.
7. In a clinical analysis, the laboratory assistant makes a complete leukocyte formula in expanded form.