Respiratory symptoms following swimming-induced pulmonary oedema may persist for months
According to a cohort study of 165 patients diagnosed with swimming-induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE), 38 % of patients reported ongoing symptoms after ten days of diagnosis. The research found the most common symptoms to be shortness of breath and cough. At 30 months, 28% of the patients reported recurrent symptoms while swimming, although only 42% of the total population had swum in open water since the initial diagnosis. Asthma was tied to symptoms, both prolonged and recurrent.
This original research by Dr Linda Kristiansson, MD and colleagues is published in CHEST.
It is already known that SIPE subsides within 24–48 hours. However, more data on comprehensive follow-up studies on symptom duration and long-term effects must be collected.
The main research question here is, What are the symptom duration, recurrence, and long-term effects of SIPE?
This background was studied in a follow-up study conducted based on 165 cases of SIPE from Sweden’s largest open water swimming event, with 26,125 individuals participating during 2017–2019. Telephonic interviews were performed at ten and 30 days to explore symptom duration, recurrence of SIPE symptoms, need for medical evaluation and long-term effects of self-assessed general health and physical activity level.
The key findings of this original research are:
- Follow-up at ten days and 30 months was performed for 132 and 152 cases, respectively.
- The cases were primarily women of the mean age of 48 years.
- At the 10-day follow-up, more than two days of symptom duration was reported in 38% and dyspnea and cough were the common symptoms.
- In patients who were followed up for 30 months, 28 % reported recurrence of respiratory symptoms during open water swimming.
- There was an independent association of Asthma with symptom duration >2 days and recurrence of SIPE symptoms.
- Following SIPE, 93 % of participants reported equal or improved general health and 85 % reported physical activity level.
- 58 % of participants had not swum in open water since the event.
They said, “The study has challenged the established hallmark of SIPE symptom duration of <48 hours, while SIPE recurrence was in the previously reported range.”
At 30 months, most patients reported unchanged self-assessed general health and physical activity level. Researchers provided evidence-based information to swimmers and health care professionals in this study.
Further reading:
Kristiansson, L., Seiler, C., Lundeqvist, D., Eriksson, A., Sundh, J., & Hårdstedt, M. (2023). Symptom Duration, Recurrence, and Long-Term effects of Swimming-Induced pulmonary edema. Chest. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2023.06.041.
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