Lyme borreliosis in rheumatological practice: identification of Lyme arthritis and diagnostic aspects in a Swedish county with high endemicity.
To prospectively study the prevalence of Lyme arthritis, 100 consecutive patients referred to a rheumatology out-patient clinic and 115 patients with a classified rheumatological disease were included. Individuals seropositive for antibody against the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex were examined for clinical signs or a history of Lyme borreliosis. Positive titres against B. burgdorferi s.l. were found in 7/100 and 15/115, respectively. Among the 100 referred patients. Lyme arthritis was diagnosed in five cases. Carpal tunnel syndrome was the presenting clinical feature in two of them. One of the 115 individuals with a previously classified rheumatological disease was re-classified as Lyme arthritis. All cases of Lyme arthritis improved after oral antibiotic treatment. This study revealed Lyme arthritis to be a common disorder in this part of Sweden and the diagnosis should be considered in patients with acute or recurrent episodes of mono- or oligoarthritis.
Berglund
J
J
Ronneby Health Centre, Sweden.
Blomberg
I
I
Hansen
B U
BU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011364:Professional Practice; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012219:Rheumatology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents