[Long-term observation of individual erythrocyte sedimentation rate and its relation to other tests variation]

We have studied individual changes of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in 30 so-called healthy subjects by examining them 2-4 times a year for 14-20 years. The results showed big differences in the same subjects during these period, and clearly different values were obtained between male and female groups. Furthermore, increased values were seen in accordance with aging in all except 3 cases. Even this aging effect showed remarkable individual differences, which, however, lead to a better correlation to aging than increase of gamma-globulin. In many cases with ESR values out of +/- 2 SD of their mean values, their other laboratory findings such as general peripheral blood tests and plasma protein tests etc., showed also the results out of +/- 2 SD of their mean values. These results show that ESR can be a useful tool as one of screening parameters.