Lyme borreliosis and medical wandering: what do patients think about multidisciplinary management? A qualitative study in the context of scientific and social controversy.

INTRODUCTION: To answer to patients' medical wandering, often due to "unexplained symptoms" of "unexplained diseases" and to misinformation, multidisciplinary care centers for suspected Lyme borreliosis (LB), such as the 5 Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs) Reference Centers (TBD-RC), were created a few years ago in France, the Netherlands and Denmark. Our study consisted of a comprehensive analysis of the satisfaction of the patients managed at a TBD-RC for suspected LB in the context of scientific and social controversy. METHODS: We included all adults who were admitted to one of the TBD-RC from 2017 to 2020. A telephone satisfaction survey was conducted 12 months after their first consultation. It consisted of 5 domains, including 2 free-text items: "What points did you enjoy?" and "What would you like us to change or to improve?". In the current study, the 2 free-items were analyzed with a qualitative method called reflexive thematic analysis within a semantic and latent approach. RESULTS: The answer rate was 61.3% (349/569) and 97 distinctive codes from the 2-free-text items were identified and classified into five themes: (1) multidisciplinarity makes it possible to set up quality time dedicated to patients; (2) multidisciplinarity enables seamless carepaths despite the public hospital crisis compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) multidisciplinarity is defined as trust in the team's competences; (4) an ambivalent opinion and uncertainty are barriers to acceptance of the diagnosis, reflecting the strong influence of the controversy around LB; and (5) a lack of adapted communication about TBDs, their management, and ongoing research is present. CONCLUSION: The multidisciplinary management for suspected LB seemed an answer to medical wandering for the majority of patients and helped avoid misinformation, enabling better patient-centered shared information and satisfaction, despite the context of controversy.

Positive intrathecal anti-Borrelia antibody synthesis: what are the implications for clinical practice? Clinical features and outcomes of 138 patients in a French multicenter cohort study.

We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, management, and residual symptoms (RS) in patients with definite and possible Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). We conducted a retrospective French multicenter cohort study (2010-2020). Cases of LNB were defined as clinical manifestations attributed to LNB and a positive Borrelia-specific intrathecal antibody index (AI) ("possible" LNB) and with pleocytosis ("definite" LNB). Risk factors of RS were determined using a logistic regression model. We included 138 adult patients with a positive AI. Mean age was 59.5 years (± 14.7). The median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 1.0 [0.5-4.0] months. The most frequent manifestation was radicular pain (n = 79, 57%). Complete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocyte analysis was available in 131 patients, of whom 72 (55%) had pleocytosis. Patients with definite LNB had a shorter duration of symptoms (median 1.0 [0.5-2.6] vs. 3.0 [0.6-7.0] months, p < 0.01) and more radicular pain (74% vs 44%, p < 0.01) than patients with possible LNB. At the last visit (median duration of follow-up: 70 [30-175] days), 74/124 patients (59.7%) reported RS, mostly radicular pain (n = 31, 25%). In multivariate analysis, definite LNB (OR = 0.21 [0.05-0.931], p = 0.039) and duration of symptoms less than 3 months (OR = 0.04 [0.01-0.37], p = 0.005) were protective factors against RS at last follow-up. Our study highlights the challenges of LNB management, especially for patients with a positive AI without pleocytosis, questioning whether LB is still ongoing or not. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to improve outcomes and to lower potential RS.

Acceptance of diagnosis and management satisfaction of patients with "suspected Lyme borreliosis" after 12 months in a multidisciplinary reference center: a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Because patients with a "suspicion of Lyme borreliosis (LB)" may experience medical wandering and difficult care paths, often due to misinformation, multidisciplinary care centers were started all over Europe a few years ago. The aim of our study was to prospectively identify the factors associated with the acceptance of diagnosis and management satisfaction of patients, and to assess the concordance of the medical health assessment between physicians and patients 12 months after their management at our multidisciplinary center. METHODS: We included all adults who were admitted to the Tick-Borne Diseases Reference Center of Paris and the Northern Region (TBD-RC) (2017-2020). A telephone satisfaction survey was conducted 12 months after their first consultation. It consisted of 5 domains and 13 items rated between 0 (lowest) and 10 (highest grade): (1)Reception; (2)Care and quality of management; (3)Information/explanations given to the patients; (4)Current medical condition and acceptance of the final diagnosis; (5)Overall appreciation. Factors associated with diagnosis acceptance and management satisfaction at 12 months were identified using logistic regression models. The concordance of the health status as assessed by doctors and patients was calculated using a Cohen's kappa test. RESULTS: Of the 569 patients who consulted, 349 (61.3%) answered the questionnaire. Overall appreciation had a median rating of 9 [8;10] and 280/349 (80.2%) accepted their diagnoses. Patients who were "very satisfied" with their care paths at TBD-RC (OR = 4.64;CI95%[1.52-14.16]) had higher odds of diagnosis acceptance. Well-delivered information was strongly associated with better satisfaction with the management (OR = 23.39;CI95%[3.52-155.54]). The concordance between patients and physicians to assess their health status 12 months after their management at TBD-RC was almost perfect in the groups of those with confirmed and possible LB (κ = 0.99), and moderate in the group with other diagnoses (κ = 0.43). CONCLUSION: Patients seemed to approve of this multidisciplinary care organization for suspected LB. It helped them to accept their final diagnoses and enabled a high level of satisfaction with the information given by the doctors, confirming the importance of shared medical decisions, which may help to reduce health misinformation. This type of structure may be useful for any disease with a complex and controversial diagnosis.

Outcomes of patients admitted to intensive care units for acute manifestation of small-vessel vasculitis: a multicenter, retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for acute manifestation of small-vessel vasculitis are poorly reported. The aim of the present study was to determine the mortality rate and prognostic factors of patients admitted to the ICU for acute small-vessel vasculitis. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter study was conducted from January 2001 to December 2014 in 20 ICUs in France. Patients were identified from computerized registers of each hospital using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9). Inclusion criteria were (1) known or highly suspected granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis (respectively, ICD-9 codes M31.3, M30.1, and M31.7), or anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease (ICD-9 codes N08.5X-005 or M31.0+); (2) admission to the ICU for the management of an acute manifestation of vasculitis; and (3) administration of a cyclophosphamide pulse in the ICU or within 48 h before admission to the ICU. The primary endpoint was assessment of mortality rate 90 days after admission to the ICU. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients at 20 centers were included, 94% of whom had a recent (<6 months) diagnosis of small-vessel vasculitis. Forty-four patients (54%) had granulomatosis with polyangiitis. The main reasons for admission were respiratory failure (34%) and pulmonary-renal syndrome (33%). Mechanical ventilation was required in 51% of patients, catecholamines in 31%, and renal replacement therapy in 71%. Overall mortality at 90 days was 18% and the mortality in ICU was 16 %. The main causes of death in the ICU were disease flare in 69% and infection in 31%. In univariable analysis, relevant factors associated with death in nonsurvivors compared with survivors were Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (median [interquartile range] 51 [38-82] vs. 36 [27-42], p = 0.005), age (67 years [62-74] vs. 58 years [40-68], p < 0.003), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score on the day of cyclophosphamide administration (11 [6-12] vs. 6 [3-7], p = 0.0004), and delayed administration of cyclophosphamide (5 days [3-14] vs. 2 days [1-5], p = 0.0053). CONCLUSIONS: Patients admitted to the ICU for management of acute small-vessel vasculitis benefit from early, aggressive intensive care treatment, associated with an 18% death rate at 90 days.

Evolution of Lyme Borreliosis Epidemiology in Primary Care and Hospital Settings in France During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Lyme borreliosis (LB) remains a public health concern in France despite improved patient management and medical care. Stay-at-home restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected participation in outdoor recreational activities and disrupted access to health care services, may have impacted the risk of developing LB. Methods: We analyzed data from two general practitioner networks in France (Sentinel Network and an electronic medical records database [EMR]) and the national hospital discharge database to describe LB epidemiology in 2020-2021 and compare it to previous years. Google Trends' search volume was used to evaluate the association between the population's interest in LB and the evolving epidemiology. Results: Annual LB incidence rates in primary care decreased from 104 cases/100,000 population in 2018 to 71/100,000 in 2021 and from 82/100,000 to 60/100,000 according to Sentinel Network and EMR, respectively. Google Trends' search volume for "Lyme" followed a similar trend, one year earlier. Annual hospitalizations were stable from 2012-2019 (1.6/100,000 on average) and declined to 1.3/100,000 in 2020 and 1.1/100,000 in 2021. This decline was observed primarily in adults (e.g., 3.4/100,000 in 2017-2019 to 1.8/100,000 in 2020-2021 for 70-79 years of age). Changes in regional incidence rates in primary care from 2017-2019 to 2020-2021 ranged from -75% to 208%. Hospitalizations decreased in all regions except in Bretagne. Conclusions: The estimated LB incidence decreased in 2020 and 2021 compared with previous years but this change may not be related to COVID-19. The incidence decrease observed in primary care could result from reduced population interest in LB, leading to lower care-seeking behavior. The decrease in LB hospitalizations may be explained by changes in clinical practice. Surveillance systems are critical to understand the evolution of LB epidemiology. However, external factors impacting incidence estimates should be considered.

[Lyme borreliosis]. / Borréliose de Lyme.

LYME BORRELIOSIS. Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, transmitted to humans by a bite of ticks Ixodes. Prevention is based on simple measures to evict ticks, and on their rapid extractionin the event of a bite. The diagnosis of LB is based on 3 arguments: an exposure to tick bites; clinically compatible symptoms (cutaneous, neurological or rheumatological manifestations, +/- functional symptoms such as fatigue or polyarthromyalgia), evolving in 3 stages (early localized or erythema migrans, early or late disseminated LB); a positive two-tier serological test (ELISA +/- Western-Blot). Serology can be negative for the first 6 weeks, without excluding the diagnosis. Since serology can remain positive for life, evolution is only evaluated clinically. LB treatment is mainly based on doxycycline for 14 to 28 days, depending on the clinical stage and manifestations, without demonstrated interest in prolonging it, even if symptoms persist. Nonetheless their management is crucial as often responsible for medical wandering. Attentive listening to the patient is essential. The prognosis of LB in the medium-term is favorable, especially if they beneficiate of an early management.

BORRÉLIOSE DE LYME. La borréliose de Lyme (BL) est la maladie vectorielle la plus fréquente de l'hémisphère Nord. Elle est due à la bactérie Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, transmise à l'homme lors d'une piqûre de tique infectée du genre Ixodes. La prévention repose sur des mesures simples d'éviction des tiques, et sur leur extraction rapide en cas de piqûre. Le diagnostic de la BL est basé sur un trépied : une exposition aux piqûres de tiques ; une clinique compatible (manifestations cutanées, neurologiques ou articulaires, éventuellement accompagnées de symptômes fonctionnels comme une fatigue, des polyarthromyalgies…), évoluant en trois phases (localisée précoce ou érythème migrant, disséminée précoce et tardive) ; une sérologie positive en deux temps (ELISA +/- western-blot). La sérologie peut être négative les 6 premières semaines, sans exclure le diagnostic. La sérologie pouvant rester positive à vie, l'évolution est uniquement évaluée cliniquement. Le traitement de la BL repose principalement sur la doxycycline, pendant 14 à 28 jours selon le stade clinique et le type d'atteinte. Il n'y a pas d'intérêt démontré à prolonger l'antibiothérapie, même en cas de persistance de symptômes. Néanmoins la prise en charge de ceux-ci (réadaptation physique, thérapies brèves, etc.) est fondamentale car ils sont souvent à l'origine d'une errance médicale. Une écoute attentive du patient est essentielle. Le pronostic des BL à moyen terme est favorable, ce d'autant que leur prise en charge est précoce.

Incidence, associated factors, and effect on renal function of amoxicillin crystalluria in patients receiving high doses of intravenous amoxicillin (The CRISTAMOX Study): A cohort study.

Background: Amoxicillin crystalluria (AC), potentially responsible for acute kidney injury (AKI), is reported more and more frequently in patients treated with high doses of intravenous amoxicillin (HDIVA). The main objective of this study was to evaluate AC incidence in these patients. The secondary objectives were to identify factors associated with AC and to evaluate its impact on the risk of AKI. Methods: This multicentre, observational, cohort study was conducted between Mar 18, 2014 and Aug 16, 2019 in Dijon, Nancy, and Reims University Hospitals as well as Châlon-sur-Saône, Charleville-Mézières, and Troyes general hospitals in France. Adult patients (≥18 years) treated with HDIVA and having been tested for AC at least once during treatment were included. Clinical, biological, and therapeutic characteristics of the patients were collected. A univariable mixed logistic regression model assessed the factors associated with AC. A multivariable Cox model with AC as a time-dependent variable assessed the prognostic factors for AKI. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02853292. Findings: Of the 112 included patients, 27 (24.1%, 95% CI [16.2-32.0]) developed at least one episode of AC within a mean of 5.1 days. The factors associated with its occurrence were the concomitant use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (OR=4.6, 95% CI [2.2-9.3], p<0.0001) and the decrease of urinary pH (OR=2.1 for one pH point decrease, 95% CI [1.2-3.7], p=0.009). 20 patients (17.9%) presented with AKI, within a mean time of 10.9 days. The main factor associated with the occurrence of AKI was the occurrence of AC (aHR=7.4, 95% CI [2.5-22.2], p=0.0003). Interpretation: AC occurred in a quarter of patients treated with HDIVA and was highly prognostic of AKI. Funding: None.

Exploring convolutional neural networks with transfer learning for diagnosing Lyme disease from skin lesion images.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lyme disease which is one of the most common infectious vector-borne diseases manifests itself in most cases with erythema migrans (EM) skin lesions. Recent studies show that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) perform well to identify skin lesions from images. Lightweight CNN based pre-scanner applications for resource-constrained mobile devices can help users with early diagnosis of Lyme disease and prevent the transition to a severe late form thanks to appropriate antibiotic therapy. Also, resource-intensive CNN based robust computer applications can assist non-expert practitioners with an accurate diagnosis. The main objective of this study is to extensively analyze the effectiveness of CNNs for diagnosing Lyme disease from images and to find out the best CNN architectures considering resource constraints. METHODS: First, we created an EM dataset with the help of expert dermatologists from Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital Center of France. Second, we benchmarked this dataset for twenty-three CNN architectures customized from VGG, ResNet, DenseNet, MobileNet, Xception, NASNet, and EfficientNet architectures in terms of predictive performance, computational complexity, and statistical significance. Third, to improve the performance of the CNNs, we used custom transfer learning from ImageNet pre-trained models as well as pre-trained the CNNs with the skin lesion dataset HAM10000. Fourth, for model explainability, we utilized Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping to visualize the regions of input that are significant to the CNNs for making predictions. Fifth, we provided guidelines for model selection based on predictive performance and computational complexity. RESULTS: Customized ResNet50 architecture gave the best classification accuracy of 84.42% ±1.36, AUC of 0.9189±0.0115, precision of 83.1%±2.49, sensitivity of 87.93%±1.47, and specificity of 80.65%±3.59. A lightweight model customized from EfficientNetB0 also performed well with an accuracy of 83.13%±1.2, AUC of 0.9094±0.0129, precision of 82.83%±1.75, sensitivity of 85.21% ±3.91, and specificity of 80.89%±2.95. All the trained models are publicly available at https://dappem.limos.fr/download.html, which can be used by others for transfer learning and building pre-scanners for Lyme disease. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the effectiveness of even some lightweight CNNs for building Lyme disease pre-scanner mobile applications to assist people with an initial self-assessment and referring them to expert dermatologist for further diagnosis.

Methodological Quality Assessment with the AGREE II Scale and a Comparison of European and American Guidelines for the Treatment of Lyme Borreliosis: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Most European and American countries recently updated their guidelines on Lyme borreliosis (LB). The aim of this study was to provide a comparative overview of existing guidelines on the treatment of LB in Europe and America and to assess the methodological quality of their elaboration. METHODS: A systematic search was carried out in MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and the national databases of scientific societies from 2014 to 2020. Quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool. RESULTS: Twelve guidelines were included. The scores for the AGREE II domains (median ± IQR) were: overall assessment 100 ± 22, scope and purpose 85 ± 46, stakeholder involvement 88 ± 48, rigour of development 67 ± 35, clarity of presentation 81 ± 36, applicability 73 ± 52 and editorial independence 79% ± 54%. Cohen's weighted kappa showed a high agreement (K = 0.90, 95%CI 0.84-0.96). Guidelines were quite homogeneous regarding the recommended molecules (mostly doxycycline in the first intention and ceftriaxone in the second intention), their duration (10 to 28 days), and their dosage. The differences were due to the lack of well-conducted comparative trials. The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) guidelines were the only ones to suggest longer antibiotics based on an expert consensus. CONCLUSION: European and American guidelines for the treatment of LB were quite homogeneous but based on moderate- to low-evidence studies. Well-conducted comparative trials are needed to assess the best molecules, the optimal duration and the most effective doses.