What does an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate indicate?

An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. The ESR test measures the rate at which red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube over a specified period. When inflammation is present, proteins that promote coagulation (such as fibrinogen) increase in the blood, causing red blood cells to clump together and settle more quickly.

This makes the ESR a useful indicator of conditions such as autoimmune diseases, infections, and other inflammatory disorders. While a high ESR can suggest inflammation, it does not specify the cause; it simply reflects that some form of inflammatory reaction is occurring. Other options, such as viral infections, normal metabolic activity, or allergic reactions, may influence the ESR but do not inherently result in an elevated rate without the context of underlying inflammation. Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation of an elevated ESR is its association with an inflammatory process.