The purpose of this study was to estimate the health burden imposed by
Lyme disease (LD) in Maryland during 1992 and 1993. A cross-sectional
1-in-15 survey of physicians (total, 1200) in Maryland was conducted
to estimate the incidence of diagnosed LD, presumptive cases of LD, pa
tients with tick bites, and diagnostic tests ordered for LD. Results s
how that LD is underreported by 10- to 12-fold in Maryland, that 80% o
f cases are managed by primary care physicians, and that there is disc
ordance between the actual clinical treatment of patients and the reco
mmended approach. In addition, the much greater numbers of patients tr
eated for presumptive LD, seen and given prophylaxis for tick bites, a
nd having diagnostic tests indicate that real and perceived LD is a fa
r greater public health problem and uses more medical resources than o
fficial surveillance data suggest.