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Quality of Life Research

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Open Access 01-02-2013

Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome symptomatology and the impact on life functioning: is there something here?

Authors: John N. Aucott, Alison W. Rebman, Lauren A. Crowder, Kathleen B. Kortte

Published in: Quality of Life Research | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Purpose

A subset of patients treated for Lyme disease report persistent or recurrent symptoms of unknown etiology named post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). This study aims to describe a cohort of participants with early, untreated Lyme disease, and characterize post-treatment symptomatology and functional impact of PTLDS over time.

Methods

Sixty-three participants with erythema migrans and systemic symptoms were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Participants underwent physical exams and clinical assessments, and completed the SF-36 (daily life functioning) and the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II) (depression), at each of five visits over a period of 6 months.

Results

Signs of Lyme disease disappeared post-treatment; however, new-onset patient-reported symptoms increased or plateaued over time. At 6 months, 36% of patients reported new-onset fatigue, 20% widespread pain, and 45% neurocognitive difficulties. However, less than 10% reported greater than “minimal” depression across the entire period. Those with PTLDS (36%) did not differ significantly from those without with respect to demographics, pre-treatment SF-36, and BDI-II scores. Statistically significant differences were found over time on the Role Physical, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health subscales (with a trend toward significance for the remaining three subscales of Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain, and General Health) of the SF-36 between those with an eventual PTLDS diagnosis and those without when measured at 6 months.

Conclusions

Unlike clinical signs of Lyme disease, new-onset symptoms are reported by a subset of participants without evidence of depressive symptomatology. Patients who developed PTLDS had significantly lower life functioning compared to those without PTLDS. We propose future avenues for researching infection-triggered symptoms resulting from multiple mechanisms.

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Title: Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome symptomatology and the impact on life functioning: is there something here?
Authors: John N. Aucott
Alison W. Rebman
Lauren A. Crowder
Kathleen B. Kortte
Publication date: 01-02-2013
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Quality of Life Research / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-012-0126-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome symptomatology and the impact on life functioning: is there something here?

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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