Does an elevated ESR indicate rheumatic disease?

Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) might be an indicator of rheumatic disease, but it is not the sole diagnostic criterion. ESR, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, refers to the rate at which red blood cells settle under certain conditions. An elevated ESR can result from various factors, including both physiological and pathological causes. Physiologically, ESR may increase during infancy, in individuals over 60 years of age, and in women during menstruation or after three months of pregnancy; these are considered normal physiological variations. Pathologically, an elevated ESR may be associated with multiple conditions such as severe anemia, acute inflammation, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, and malignant tumors. Indeed, rheumatic diseases can cause elevated ESR, but they are not the only cause. If an elevated ESR is detected, timely medical consultation is recommended, along with evaluation of clinical symptoms and additional diagnostic tests to establish a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment.