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Incidence and burden of earaches due to recreational swimming: Results from a nationwide study ofover 50,000 respondents
Citation:
WADE, T. J., A. P. DUFOUR, E. A. SAMS, AND M. Beach. Incidence and burden of earaches due to recreational swimming: Results from a nationwide study ofover 50,000 respondents. Presented at International Society of Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) Annual Meeting, Columbia, SC, August 26 - 30, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Objectives: Determine the proportion of self-reported earache attributable to marine and freshwater swimming exposure and the health care burden associated with these symptoms.
Description:
Background: Earaches and ear pain due to outer ear infections (otitis externa) are common following swimming and can result in time lost from work and school and visits to the physician or hospital. Objectives: Determine the proportion of self-reported earache attributable to marine and freshwater swimming exposure and the health care burden associated with these symptoms. Methods: As part of the NEEAR Water Study, over 50,000 respondents were enrolled at four freshwater and five marine beaches across the United States. Ten to twelve days after the beach visit, respondents answered questions about health symptoms, including earaches, runny ears or ear infections experienced since the beach visit. Economic and physical burdens were also obtained. Fixed slope, random intercept (beach site) multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between head immersion swimming exposure and earaches, controlling for age, sex, other swimming exposures, chronic health conditions and other factors. Model results were used to calculate risk differences. Results: 537 (2.1%) of head immersion swimmers and 180 (1.3%) of non-swimmers reported earache. Head immersion swimming resulted in 7.12 excess earaches per 1000 swimming events (95% CI 4.14,10.10). Among those reporting earaches, 24% reported interference with their regular activities, 59% used medications, 28% visited a health care provider and 4% reported to the emergency room. Conclusions: An estimated 90 million people swim in lakes, rivers or oceans annually resulting in approximately 630,000 earaches or ear infections, 180,000 doctor visits and 25,000 emergency room visits. This abstract does not reflect EPA policy.