[IS THERE STILL A PLACE TO USE ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE IN THE 21ST CENTURY?]

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a simple test that is not without limitations but is still widely used. Dysfunction is used as a diagnostic test on the one hand and as a follow-up test on the other, where many physicians attribute normal results of this test to the absence of disease. Therefore, the question remains: Is there still room for continued ESR in the 21st century? And are there other tests with higher sensitivity and specificity that can replace the ESR? The purpose of the current review is to acquaint the reader with this test, its advantages and limitations, and to expand the scope of alternative tests and their effectiveness in comparison to ESR. It seems to us that the development of technology and research has strongly discouraged the use of ESR, but there are still quite a few instances where this test is still cost-effective. In most cases, especially during the diagnosis of life-threatening diseases, other tests are needed, or there is a need for a combination of the ESR with additional tests.