Borreliosis may be associated with unspecific symptoms and thus not only cause difficulties in diagnosis but also lead to overdiagnosis.
Data on 134 patients (mean age 47 [12 - 78] years, 51.5 % male) with suspected borreliosis presenting at the university hospital Regensburg were analyzed retrospectively.
The majority of patients had been adequately treated for borreliosis previously. 34 patients (25.4 %) had proven or possible borreliosis, 20 patients (14.9 %) presented for consultation only. Regarding the remaining 80 patients (59.7 %), in 36 (45 %) a rheumatologic, orthopedic or neurologic disease was found as causal for the presenting symptoms, in 44 (55 %) no somatic disease could be diagnosed.
A careful differential diagnosis seems mandatory in patients with suspected borreliosis and persistent complaints.