Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a non-specific hematological test used to measure the degree of systemic inflammation in the body (StatPearls, 2023). It is defined as the rate at which red blood cells (RBCs) descend in a standardized tube of anticoagulated blood over a period of one hour. Under normal conditions, RBCs repel each other due to negative surface charges; however, during an inflammatory response, increased levels of acute-phase reactants like fibrinogen and globulins cause RBCs to aggregate into stacks known as rouleaux, which sediment more rapidly (Mayo Clinic, 2023). While ESR is not a therapeutic target that drugs bind to, it is a critical clinical biomarker used to monitor the progression of inflammatory diseases such as temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and rheumatoid arthritis (Medscape, 2022). Factors such as age, sex, pregnancy, and anemia can influence ESR values, necessitating careful clinical correlation for accurate interpretation. Consequently, it serves as a diagnostic aid and a measure of treatment efficacy rather than a site for pharmacological intervention.

Other names

Sed rateWestergren sedimentation rateBiernatki's reactionSedimentation rate

Not applicable as ESR is a clinical measurement, not a drug target.