Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate and Clinical Use

Measuring acute phase response helps us diagnose and follow up diseases. Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate (ESR) among those measurements is a biochemical method which is commonly used. Roll formation or clustering of erythrocytes determines of sedimentation rate, and main factors affecting those events are fibrinogen, α 2 , β and γ globins. Moreover, some conditions such as ratio between plasma and erythrocytes, plasma viscosity, tube used for measuring in sedimentation rate, room temperature and anti-coagulant agent used affect Erythrocyte sedimentation rate measurement. It can be elevated in several pathological conditions as well as in pregnancy, senility and menstruation. ESH gives general idea or information as pulse and body temperature do; it is elevated in several severe diseases, it can be course in normal levels. In this review, it was aimed to present its use of clinical practice, definition, measurement methods, and factors affecting ESH.