Obstacles to diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease in the USA: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:For many individuals with Lyme disease, prompt treatment leads to rapid resolution of infection. However, severe complications can occur if treatment is delayed. Our objective was to identify themes around belated diagnosis or treatment of Lyme disease using the General Model of Total Patient Delay (GMTPD). DESIGN:We conducted a qualitative interview study using indepth telephone interviews. SETTING:Participants were patients from a large, integrated health system in the state of Pennsylvania, USA. PARTICIPANTS:There were 26 participants. Participants had to have a diagnosis of Lyme disease between 2014 and 2017 and a positive IgG western blot. We used a stratified purposeful sampling design to identify patients with and without late Lyme disease manifestations. To ensure variati

SUBMITTER: Hirsch AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6009554 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature