Chronic Lyme Disease: A Survey of Connecticut Primary Care Physicians

Objective

To determine how frequently Connecticut primary care physicians are diagnosing and treating patients with chronic Lyme disease.

Study design

A survey was mailed to a random 33% sample of primary care physicians in Connecticut, which asked how many cases of Lyme disease and chronic Lyme disease they diagnosed and treated in the last 3 years.

Results

The survey had a response rate of 39.1%. Physician respondents (n = 285) fit in one of 3 groups. Group 1 included 6 of 285 (2.1%) physicians who diagnose and treat patients with chronic Lyme disease. Group 2 included 137 of 285 (48.1%) physicians who are undecided on the existence of chronic Lyme disease, but did not diagnose or treat any patients with chronic Lyme disease. Group 3 included 142 of 285 (49.8%) physicians who do not believe in the existence of chronic Lyme disease.

Conclusion

A small percentage (2.1%) of primary care physicians diagnose and treat patients for presumed chronic Lyme disease.

EM, Erythema migrans, IDSA, Infectious Diseases Society of America, ILADS, International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, SD, Standard deviation