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Erythrocyte sedimentation reaction (ESR): mechanism, meaning and clinical application

In medical practice, there are many laboratory tests used to diagnose various diseases and assess the functioning of the body. One such test, the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction (ERS), is an important tool for studying inflammatory processes in the body.

The erythrocyte sedimentation reaction is a nonspecific indicator that reflects the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation in a test tube under the influence of gravity. The main mechanism of this reaction is the formation of red blood cell aggregates under the influence of plasma proteins, especially fibrinogen.

The ROE procedure is simple and can be performed in most laboratories. The patient's blood is mixed with an anticoagulant, usually ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and placed in a vertical tube. Then the blood is divided into two phases: the upper - plasma, and the lower - compact sediment of red blood cells. Over a certain period of time, usually 1 hour, the height of the sediment layer is measured, expressed in millimeters. The result obtained is interpreted as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

ROE can be elevated in various conditions associated with inflammation and hemodynamic impairment. Some of these conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, infections, cancer, tuberculosis and other diseases. Inflammation and other pathological processes can lead to increased levels of fibrinogen and other plasma proteins, which promotes the formation of larger erythrocyte aggregates and, therefore, an increase in sedimentation rate.

However, it should be noted that ROE is a nonspecific indicator and cannot be used independently to make a final diagnosis. To clarify the cause of elevated ROE, further diagnostic work is required, including clinical assessment, additional laboratory tests and instrumental studies.

However, ROE remains a useful tool in clinical practice. It can be used to track the dynamics of inflammatory processes, assess the effectiveness of treatment and monitor the patient's condition. In addition, ROE can be useful additional information in the differential diagnosis of various diseases.

In conclusion, the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction (ESR) is an important tool in laboratory diagnostics that helps in the assessment of inflammatory processes and other pathological conditions in the body. However, for a complete and accurate interpretation of the RSE results, it is necessary to take into account other clinical data.