Chronic Lyme disease: a survey of Connecticut primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVE To determine how frequently Connecticut primary care physicians are diagnosing and treating patients with chronic Lyme disease. STUDY DESIGN A survey was mailed to a random 33% sample of primary care physicians in Connecticut, which asked how many cases of Lyme disease and chronic Lyme disease they diagnosed and treated in the last 3 years. RESULTS The survey had a response rate of 39.1%. Physician respondents (n = 285) fit in one of 3 groups. Group 1 included 6 of 285 (2.1%) physicians who diagnose and treat patients with chronic Lyme disease. Group 2 included 137 of 285 (48.1%) physicians who are undecided on the existence of chronic Lyme disease, but did not diagnose or treat any patients with chronic Lyme disease. Group 3 included 142 of 285 (49.8%) physicians who do not believe in the existence of chronic Lyme disease. CONCLUSION A small percentage (2.1%) of primary care physicians diagnose and treat patients for presumed chronic Lyme disease.