Evaluation of skin thickness lesions in patients with Lyme disease measured by modified Rodnan total skin score.

Recently, a possible etiological connection between infection with Borrelia burgdorferi and various skin lesions, including morphea and systemic sclerosis (SSc), has been discussed. The aim of our study was the evaluation of frequency of skin thickening typical of SSc or morphea in the group of patients with Lyme disease (LD) with frequent exposition to tick bites. The group consisted of 110 patients with LD frequently exposed to tick bites form the northeastern Poland, which is an endemic area for this disease. To measure the skin lesions, the modified Rodnan total skin score (RTSS) was used. In the analyzed group, no skin changes typical of morphea or skin thickening were found. According to RTSS, all patients scored 0 points. Raynaud's phenomenon in all patients was not found. The relationship between scleroderma or morphea and LD is still a matter of controversy. Described by some authors, cases with LD and scleroderma may be associated with co-existence of B. burgdorferi infection with autoimmune process.