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Brief Report: Long‐Term Assessment of Fibromyalgia in Patients With Culture‐Confirmed Lyme Disease
Author(s) -
Wormser Gary P.,
Weitzner Erica,
McKenna Donna,
Nadelman Robert B.,
Scavarda Carol,
Farber Shimon,
Prakash Priya,
Ash Julia,
Nowakowski John
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
arthritis and rheumatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.106
H-Index - 314
eISSN - 2326-5205
pISSN - 2326-5191
DOI - 10.1002/art.38972
Subject(s) - fibromyalgia , erythema migrans , lyme disease , medicine , population , lyme , erythema , disease , dermatology , pediatrics , physical therapy , borrelia burgdorferi , immunology , lyme borreliosis , environmental health , antibody
Objective Fibromyalgia (FM) occurs in 2–8% of the general population, and one of the triggers may be Lyme disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate for FM in patients with culture‐confirmed Lyme disease. Methods Patients with culture‐confirmed Lyme disease who originally presented with erythema migrans were enrolled in a prospective study between 1991 and 2000 and have been evaluated annually to determine their long‐term outcomes. In 2011–2013, the patients were evaluated for FM, by both interview and tender point examination. Results Among the 100 patients assessed, 52% were male, and the mean age was 64.9 years (median 64 years [range 42–86 years]). The mean duration of followup was 15.4 years (median 16 years [range 11–20 years]). At least 24 of the patients (24%) had experienced a second episode of erythema migrans before being evaluated for fibromyalgia. One patient (1% [95% confidence interval 0.025–5.4%]) met the criteria for fibromyalgia. In this patient, the symptoms consistent with fibromyalgia began >19 years after Lyme disease was diagnosed. Conclusion Fibromyalgia was observed in only 1% of 100 patients with culture‐confirmed early Lyme disease; this frequency is consistent with that observed in the general population.