Julie from St. Albert asks: Is ESR used to diagnose or monitor inflammatory arthritis?
ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and more recently, CRP (C-reactive protein), are tests that can detect inflammation in the body. They are not perfect tests. It is possible to have normal results and have active inflammation. It is also possible to have active inflammation which is not related to inflammatory arthritis. For example, an infection will cause these tests to be elevated. These tests typically do not make a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis on their own, but can help put a picture together of a diagnosis. They can also be used to help monitor how the arthritis is doing, but again, it must be used with other information as well. A normal or elevated test on its own does not mean arthritis is active or not.
Posted: January 13, 2025
Tagged: arthritis, blood tests, rheumatoid arthritis