What effect does aging have on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)?

As people age, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) tends to increase. This is attributed to several factors associated with aging, including a greater prevalence of chronic diseases and inflammatory processes, both of which can elevate the ESR. The increased sedimentation rate is often due to changes in the plasma proteins that occur with age; for instance, there may be an increase in fibrinogen and other acute phase reactants that promote the aggregation of red blood cells, causing them to fall more quickly in the test.

Thus, the physiological responses and the increasing likelihood of chronic inflammatory conditions as one ages contribute to a higher ESR, leading to the conclusion that aging speeds up the ESR. This is significant in clinical practice because it's important to interpret ESR values in the context of a patient's age and associated health conditions.