Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a common blood test used to detect inflammation in the body. In tuberculosis (TB) patients, ESR levels are often elevated due to the inflammatory process caused by the infection.
Studies have shown that:
- ESR levels are increased in almost all TB patients. A normal ESR level is typically less than 20 mm/hour, but in TB patients, ESR levels are commonly higher than this.
- Very high ESR values (>=100 mm/hour) are strongly associated with active TB. This finding suggests that a very high ESR can be a useful indicator for diagnosing active TB.
- ESR levels can vary significantly among TB patients. Some patients may have only minimally elevated ESR values (10-20 mm/h), while others may have significantly higher values.
Therefore, while a high ESR level is a common finding in TB patients, it is important to consider other factors, such as clinical symptoms and imaging studies, for an accurate diagnosis.
