Lyme Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Lacking, Study Finds

Strategic Insights -

Many people diagnosed with Lyme disease are not receiving follow-up care, a new study suggests. Researchers found that only about 35% of those with ongoing early-stage symptoms checked back in with their doctor. The study also revealed that the widely used blood test for Lyme disease is not effective in detecting early cases, with only 23% of patients testing positive under current guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study, conducted by the Bay Area Lyme Foundation, found that only 35% of people with ongoing early-stage Lyme disease symptoms followed up with their doctor, despite ongoing symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, and muscle pain.
  • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommended blood test for Lyme disease has been found to miss many early cases, with only 23% of patients testing positive under current guidelines.
  • The study suggests that follow-up care from medical professionals is crucial to improving outcomes and reducing the burden of Lyme disease.
  • The CDC recommends blood test for Lyme disease is not effective in detecting early cases, with 70% of cases of early-stage Lyme disease being missed.
  • Research suggests that barriers to care, including lack of insurance coverage, cost, travel time, and distance, may prevent patients from seeking follow-up care.

Statistics:

  • Only 35% of people with ongoing early-stage Lyme disease symptoms followed up with their doctor.
  • 23% of Lyme patients with early signs or symptoms tested positive under CDC guidelines.
  • 34% of patients with a Lyme rash larger than five centimeters were not caught by the blood test.
  • 21% of patients reported ongoing Lyme symptoms after three months.
  • 70% of cases of early-stage Lyme disease are missed by the CDC's recommended blood test.

Sources:

  • Bay Area Lyme Foundation, news release, July 10, 2025.
  • Liz Horn, principal investigator of the Bay Area Lyme Foundation's Lyme Disease Biobank program.
  • Frontiers in Medicine, July 10, 2025.