Is a high ESR a sign of rheumatic disease?

An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) does not necessarily indicate rheumatic disease. ESR refers to the distance red blood cells settle in the first hour under specified conditions in anticoagulated whole blood outside the body, reflecting the speed at which red blood cells sediment. An elevated ESR can occur in various situations, including inflammatory diseases, physiological increases (such as in children under 12 years old, women during menstruation, and those who are more than three months pregnant), and other conditions (such as acute bacterial inflammation, tuberculosis, and malignant tumors). Although ESR is often elevated in patients with rheumatic diseases, an elevated ESR alone cannot directly diagnose rheumatic disease. Diagnosing rheumatic diseases requires a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's symptoms, physical signs, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Therefore, if an elevated ESR is detected, there is no need to panic; it is recommended to promptly consult a physician for further examination and diagnosis.