ESR, a silent marker of inflammation, whispers secrets about your body's health.
The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test is a simple blood test that helps detect inflammation in the body, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of various medical conditions. The ESR test measures the rate at which red blood cells settle in a tube of blood over a specific period, usually one hour. It is a non-specific marker of inflammation and is often used in conjunction with other tests for diagnostic purposes.
Role in Body:
1. Indicator of Inflammation: ESR is often used as a marker of inflammation in the body. When inflammation occurs due to various reasons such as infections, autoimmune disorders, tissue damage, or certain chronic diseases, the levels of proteins called fibrinogen and immunoglobulins in the blood increase. These proteins cause red blood cells to clump together and settle faster, leading to an elevated ESR.
2. Monitoring Disease Activity: In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vasculitis, and other autoimmune diseases, ESR levels can indicate disease activity. A rise in ESR may suggest an active flare-up or progression of the underlying condition.
3. Screening Tool: ESR is sometimes used as part of a screening process to assess overall health or detect underlying inflammatory processes, especially when symptoms like fever, joint pain, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss are present.
4. Diagnostic Aid: Although ESR alone is not diagnostic, it is often used in conjunction with other clinical assessments, laboratory tests, and imaging studies to help diagnose and monitor conditions such as infections, inflammatory diseases, certain cancers, and chronic illnesses.
5. Response to Treatment: Changes in ESR levels over time can indicate the body's response to treatment. A decrease in ESR may suggest that inflammation is under control or that treatment is effective, while a persistently elevated ESR may indicate ongoing inflammation or the need for further evaluation.
6. Prognostic Indicator: In some cases, ESR levels may provide prognostic information about the severity or progression of certain diseases, although it is important to interpret ESR results in the context of the individual's overall health and clinical presentation.
Latest References:
Hossain MM, Siddique AB, Chowdhury FR, et al. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) as an Inflammatory Marker: A Cross-sectional Study on the Diagnostic Performance of ESR in Detecting Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Cureus. 2021 Dec 21;13(12):e2045
Dey A, Pal S, Bhakta A, et al. Evaluation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate as an inflammatory marker in periodontitis patients: A clinical study. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2021 Mar-Apr;25(2):132-137.
Habib SS, Ahmed SA. Utility of erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a surrogate marker for inflammatory cytokines in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst. 2021 Dec;33(1):8.
Sabaté-Llobera A, Massanet-Fiol G, Ramírez-Bosca A, et al. An Exploratory Study on the Usefulness of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-reactive Protein to Monitor the Progression of Fibromyalgia: A One-Year Follow-Up Study. Pain Res Manag. 2021 Apr 21;2021:6664838.
Bakhiet S, Rashed LA, El-Shikh MS, et al. The Predictive Value of Inflammatory Biomarkers (C-Reactive Protein, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio) on the Outcome of COVID-19 Patients in ICU Admission: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Infect Drug Resist. 2021 Sep 14;14:3807-3815.
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