The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Stress

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Abstract
The effect of a 75 h vigil on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was studied in 2 experiments with 63 healthy male volunteers. ESR was increased at the end of the vigil compared with pre-exposure values. The increases did not correlate significantly with concomitant changes in serum triglycerides, free fatty acids, cholesterol or gammaglobulins, except for a significant negative correlation with cholesterol changes in 1 of the 2 studies. Although the mechanism for increases in ESR in response to stressor exposure remains unclear, when using the ESR in clinical practice, allowance should be made for situational factors such as the patient having experienced some stressful days and sleepless nights.