Определение и Значение "erythrocyte sedimentation rate"

What is "erythrocyte sedimentation rate"?

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube over a certain amount of time. This settling rate is influenced by the presence of proteins in the blood that increase during inflammation or infection. A faster-than-normal rate may indicate inflammation, infection, or other medical conditions such as arthritis, lupus, or some cancers in the body. This test is often used alongside other tests to help diagnose or monitor these conditions and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.