The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and stress

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

• The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a common diagnostic marker.
• Factors influencing ESR, beyond inflammation, require further investigation.
• The impact of acute stress and sleep deprivation on ESR is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of a prolonged 75-hour vigil on ESR in healthy male volunteers.
• To explore potential correlations between ESR changes and other blood parameters during stress.

Main Methods:

• Two experimental studies were conducted with 63 healthy male volunteers.
• ESR levels were measured before and after a 75-hour period of continuous wakefulness.
• Serum levels of triglycerides, free fatty acids, cholesterol, and gammaglobulins were also assessed.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in ESR was observed at the end of the 75-hour vigil compared to baseline values.
• ESR increases did not significantly correlate with changes in serum triglycerides, free fatty acids, or gammaglobulins.
• A significant negative correlation was found between ESR changes and cholesterol changes in one of the two studies.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged wakefulness (75-hour vigil) can elevate ESR in healthy individuals.
• The mechanism underlying stress-induced ESR elevation remains unclear.
• Clinical interpretation of ESR should account for potential situational stressors like sleep deprivation and stressful periods.