Summary
| Direction in Rheumatoid Arthritis | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Inflammatory |
| Compared against | RA disease activity marker vs healthy baseline |
| Source | Inciarte-Mundo et al. 2022 — doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1001025 |
| Condition atlas | Rheumatoid Arthritis Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where ESR is reported
- ESR in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's/UC) — ↑ elevated vs active IBD vs quiescent/baseline disease
- ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) in Lyme Disease — ↕ inconsistent vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: ESR across conditions.
Related Inflammatory markers in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Full list: Rheumatoid Arthritis Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is ESR high or low in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher ESR in Rheumatoid Arthritis than in the reference group of the cited comparison (RA disease activity marker vs healthy baseline). Source: Inciarte-Mundo et al. 2022.
Which test measures ESR?
The atlas record does not list a standardised clinical test code (LOINC) for ESR, which usually means it was measured with research assays or study-specific protocols rather than a routine clinical panel. Check the cited source for the exact method.
Is one abnormal ESR result diagnostic of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Rheumatoid Arthritis. ESR findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is ESR specific to Rheumatoid Arthritis?
No. The same marker is also reported in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's/UC), Lyme Disease in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-07-03 · Page generated from rheumatoid-arthritis.json · Browse: Rheumatoid Arthritis atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.