Many pathological processes can determine an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate: various kinds of infections, anemia, inflammation and some tumor processes.
It should be noted that the ESR is a non-specific (ie generic) index and must "be interpreted in the context of other targeted clinical investigations. In other words, if the other parameters are normal, the finding of a high ESR value should not cause concern. .
In the blood, red blood cells tend to remain in suspension, separated from each other thanks to the negative charge of the membrane that hinders the formation of aggregates (rouleaux).
Under normal conditions, the protein component of the plasma is such as to preserve the surface charge of the red cells. On the contrary, when inflammatory processes are established in the body, the increased blood concentration of proteins typical of inflammation (including fibrinogen and C reactive protein) leads to a weakening of the repellent forces. The red blood cells, consequently, tend to aggregate, with the formation of rouleaux with a high tendency to precipitate. The coarser these clusters are, the faster the sedimentation.
The ESR, precisely, measures the sedimentation speed of the red cells in the plasma, in mm per hour, when the blood sample is left to rest in a special pipette.
For what has been said, the ESR represents a non-specific index of inflammation; it is therefore not surprising that it increases in rheumatic diseases, in chronic infections and in pathologies with an inauspicious course, such as malignant tumors with metastases.
(years)
(mm / h)
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The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a parameter used as a support in detecting inflammation associated with certain pathologies, such as:
- Infections;
- Tumors;
- Autoimmune diseases.
ESR is a non-specific test: high results often indicate the presence of inflammation without telling the doctor exactly where the inflammation is and what causes it.
For this reason, it is usually used in combination with other tests, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor, fibrinogen and other generic tests, such as total metabolic panel or blood count. with formula.
