Authors
Jeanine Ursinus, Hedwig D Vrijmoeth, Margriet G Harms, Anna D Tulen, Hans Knoop, Stefanie A Gauw, Tizza P Zomer, Albert Wong, Ingrid HM Friesema, Yolande M Vermeeren, Leo AB Joosten, Joppe W Hovius, Bart Jan Kullberg, Cees C van den Wijngaard
Publication date
2021/7/1
Journal
The Lancet Regional Health–Europe
Volume
6
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
Background
Concerns about long-lasting symptoms attributed to Lyme borreliosis (LB) are widespread in the Western world, while such symptoms are highly prevalent in the general population.
Methods
In the largest prospective study to date, adults with physician-confirmed LB were included at the start of antibiotic treatment. Primary outcomes, prevalence of persistent symptoms and symptom severity, were assessed using three-monthly standardised questionnaires during one year. Persistent symptoms were defined as impaired scores for fatigue (CIS, subscale fatigue), cognitive impairment (CFQ) or pain (SF-36, subscale bodily pain) ≥6 months, with onset <6 months. Outcomes were compared with a longitudinal general population and a tick-bite cohort without LB as a reference.
Findings
Of 1135 LB patients (94•8% erythema migrans, 5•2% disseminated LB), 1084 fulfilled primary analysis criteria, as well as …
Total citations
Scholar articles
J Ursinus, HD Vrijmoeth, MG Harms, AD Tulen… - The Lancet Regional Health–Europe, 2021