More Studies on Prolonged Antibiotic Therapy for Chronic Lyme Disease

Whether an organic basis exists for chronic constitutional symptoms following standard treatment for Lyme disease is controversial. Although most experts are skeptical about so-called "post-treatment chronic Lyme disease," some patients insist upon receiving long-term antibiotic therapy, and some physicians provide it.

In a recent multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study, a 90-day antibiotic course that followed standard treatment for Lyme disease did not improve symptoms or quality of life among 129 patients with chronic symptoms (e.g., fatigue, arthralgia, myalgia, self-reported cognitive problems; Journal Watch Jul 6 2001). Now, the same researchers report details about cognitive function these same patients. At baseline, patient…