ROSH Geriatrics Practice Test 2025 - Free Geriatrics Practice Questions and Study Guide

Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) can be a reflection of various underlying conditions, particularly in elderly patients. Chronic inflammation is a common cause of increased ESR, as it indicates the presence of prolonged inflammation occurring in the body. This can arise from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and chronic infections—each of which may affect elderly individuals more frequently due to age-related changes and comorbidities.

In older patients, chronic inflammatory processes may be a result of ongoing conditions such as osteoarthritis, cancer, or long-standing infections. The body's immune response, which is often heightened in the presence of such conditions, leads to increased production of proteins that cause red blood cells to clump together, thus increasing the sedimentation rate.

While acute infections can also elevate ESR, they tend to result in a transient increase, whereas chronic inflammation reflects a sustained process that is more common in the elderly population. Additionally, normal aging does not, by itself, lead to a significant increase in ESR without the presence of other underlying pathological conditions.