Which of the following is a non-infectious condition that can raise an ESR?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a non-infectious condition that can raise an ESR?

Elevations in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) occur when plasma proteins that promote red blood cell stacking increase, causing cells to settle faster. Pregnancy is a classic non-infectious state where these protein levels rise—fibrinogen and other acute-phase reactants increase during pregnancy—leading to a higher ESR even in the absence of infection. The mechanism behind this is rouleaux formation, where red blood cells stack together and fall more quickly in the sedimentation test. While other choices can influence ESR in various ways, pregnancy stands out as a commonly taught, non-infectious condition reliably associated with increased ESR due to physiological changes in pregnancy.

Elevations in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) occur when plasma proteins that promote red blood cell stacking increase, causing cells to settle faster. Pregnancy is a classic non-infectious state where these protein levels rise—fibrinogen and other acute-phase reactants increase during pregnancy—leading to a higher ESR even in the absence of infection. The mechanism behind this is rouleaux formation, where red blood cells stack together and fall more quickly in the sedimentation test.

While other choices can influence ESR in various ways, pregnancy stands out as a commonly taught, non-infectious condition reliably associated with increased ESR due to physiological changes in pregnancy.

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