Many states with a high prevalence of Lyme disease are home to non-traditional clinics that often provide unproven treatments, potentially creating significant health and safety risks. Researchers examined treatments offered on the websites of 117 independent clinics across 14 high-prevalence states between February 2024 and April 2024, finding that less than half (53 clinics) had an MD or DO physician on staff, as published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. Approximately 20% employed a naturopathic doctor, 31% had an advanced practice provider, and 18% were staffed by a chiropractor. The most commonly offered treatments were herbs and supplements (45%), followed by non-antibiotic intravenous therapy (26%), unspecified antibiotics (22%), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (15%), and ozone-based therapy (13%). Of particular concern, according to the authors, are treatments that include non-evidenced-based intravenous antibiotic regimens and unproven treatments that involve drawing blood via a venous catheter then infusing the patient’s blood with ozone. Bloodstream infections are among the risks of the therapies promised by the clinics to treat Lyme disease.
Why bother? Patients may still experience pesky symptoms that hang around after completing usual Lyme disease treatment. The clinics may be appealing to patient frustration in wanting to feel better or fully recover from the disease. Researchers found costs for an initial consultation as published online ranged from $87 to $3,250. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was the most expensive treatment with clinics charging up to $6,400. Online material that was labeled as advertising or sponsored content was excluded, and urgent care centers were also excluded in the cross-sectional study.
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