Why Scots who think they have Lyme disease probably have chronic fatigue syndrome

Most people in the UK who think they have Lyme disease "probably do not", an expert has said.

Hundreds of patients seek diagnosis for the condition after they visit their GP with symptoms that could also match those of chronic fatigue syndrome.

But because of the stigma attached to the syndrome they do not want to accept the diagnosis or find that doctors shy away from telling them they have chronic fatigue syndrome, scientists explained.

Read More
GPs told to look out for symptoms of Lyme disease as cases ‘increase rapidly’
This tick passed on Lyme diseaseThis tick passed on Lyme disease
This tick passed on Lyme disease
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"And because there is increased awareness about it, they are testing for Lyme disease and then they are going on to various different Lyme disease forum on the internet and being told, 'well actually the UK tests are rubbish, but you need to send it off to Germany'.

"And then they are coming back with a test that is positive and saying 'you doctors are all wrong and I don't have chronic fatigue syndrome, I have chronic Lyme disease'.

"So I think that most people who think they have got Lyme disease in the UK, probably don't."

She explained that she did not think it was an issue of doctors not being able to diagnose chronic fatigue, but that the problem may lie in the "stigma" still attached to the condition.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness MonthMay is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

"I think we are not doing these patients a great service at the moment by not confronting the issue upfront - to be honest I think GPs probably do shy away a little bit from spelling out those words to patients, because they feel this is terribly unsatisfying for everybody.

"I think there is a bit about patients not wanting to hear it because of all those stigma reasons, and there is a little bit about GPs hoping - probably not unreasonably - 'let's look for an alternative diagnosis because then that is something we can treat'."

Dr Logan said that in these instances, by the time a Lyme disease test comes back negative the seed has already been planted in the patient's mind, often causing them to seek another test from a Lyme disease clinic.

She said some patients are paying up to £600 for a consultation and test that has not been validated.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rates of Lyme disease in the UK are around five per 100,000.

Speaking at the Science Media Centre, Dr Logan also explained that patients who present to the GP with the rash associated with Lyme disease are given antibiotics, which in most cases successfully treats them.

Where the symptoms match the disease, but there is no rash, the guidance is for blood tests to be conducted.

The official estimate for the UK is around 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of Lyme disease annually based on centralised reporting in Scotland and laboratory data in England and Wales.

It has become the most common tick-borne infection in many parts of Europe and the USA, and high rates in nearby countries had prompted fears the UK estimate was too low.

The bacterial infection is spread to humans via bites from infected ticks, and symptoms can include a circular red rash often described as a bullseye on a dartboard.

Some people get flu-like symptoms instead of the rash, and if it is not treated promptly with antibiotics it can cause pain and swelling in joints, nerve and heart problems and trouble concentrating for years after.

Related topics: