Respiratory symptoms following swimming-induced pulmonary oedema may persist for months

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.