2023-12-02 18:30:00
Study Finds More Than a Quarter of Lyme Disease Patients Have Long-Term Complaints
A new study conducted by the RIVM, Radboud University Medical Center, and Amsterdam UMC has found that more than 25% of people with Lyme disease experience long-term complaints even after treatment, leading to limitations in their daily lives. These complaints include fatigue, pain, and concentration problems.
The study, known as LymeProspect, is the largest of its kind and highlights the importance of addressing persistent complaints in Lyme disease patients. Lead researcher Kees van den Wijngaard of the RIVM stated, “The study ran from 2015 to 2020 and is the largest study ever into persistent complaints after treatment for Lyme disease. More than 1,100 adults in the Netherlands who contracted this disease were followed for a year to investigate how often and to what extent persistent complaints occur.”
The research showed that fatigue, pain, and concentration problems are reported more frequently and more severely by people with Lyme disease compared to those without the disease. Approximately 27% of Lyme patients reported these complaints, compared to 21% to 23% of people without the disease.
Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia bacteria, transmitted by ticks, and affects approximately 27,000 people in the Netherlands each year. While most people recover completely after antibiotic treatment, some suffer from long-term complaints. The study aims to gain better insight into the causes of these complaints in order to improve treatment and prevent long-term limitations in daily life.
The researchers also emphasized the need for follow-up research to further understand why some individuals continue to experience long-term complaints even after receiving treatment for Lyme disease.]
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