Elevated ESR

Elevated ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is a laboratory test result indicating increased inflammation in the body, measured by the rate at which red blood cells settle in a tube over one hour. It is clinically significant as it helps in diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as autoimmune diseases, infections, and malignancies. A key association is with rheumatoid arthritis, where a persistently elevated ESR can indicate disease activity and guide treatment decisions.