ESR

A raised ESR is commonly associated with:

• Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune joint diseases
• Systemic infections of bacterial or viral origin
• Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Certain cancers, particularly of the blood and lymphatic system
• Vasculitis, including giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
• Tissue injury or recent surgery

Because so many different conditions can raise ESR, your doctor will always interpret an abnormal result alongside your symptoms, physical examination, and other targeted tests such as CRP or specific antibody panels.