Does recreational scuba diving have clinically significant effect on routine haematological parameters?
Author(s): Perovic A, Nikolac N, Braticevic MN, Milcic A, Sobocanec S, Balog T, Dabelic S, Dumic J
Publication: Biochem Med (Zagreb), 2017, Vol. 27, Page 325-331
PubMed ID: 28694723 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
This paper investigated the effects of scuba diving on fifteen hematological variables.
Conclusion of Paper
Although significant differences from baseline exceeding expected biological variation were noted in the white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, monocyte counts, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin and hematocrit after diving, none of the changes were clinically significant and no hemolysis, icterus, or lipemia was observed.
Studies
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Study Purpose
This study investigated the effects of scuba diving on fifteen hematological variables. Blood was collected from 17 healthy male recreational divers into K2EDTA Vacuettes before and 0, 3, and 6 h following a 30-minute dive to 30 meters. Subjects refrained from scuba diving for a week and from exercise and alcohol consumption in the 48 h before the study. Blood was analyzed using a Cell Dyn Ruby hematology analyzer and plasma was checked for visible hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia.
Summary of Findings:
Significant increase from baseline exceeding expected biological variation were noted in the white blood cell counts (WBC) 1 h and 6 h after diving (20.4% and 24.5% P<0.001); in neutrophil counts immediately, 1 h, and 6 h after diving (17.8%, 33.9%, and 25.6%, P<0.001), in lymphocytes counts 6 h after diving (19.6%, P=0.002); in monocyte counts 6 h after diving (22.8%, P<0.001); and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration 6 h after diving (0.7%, P=0.024). Significant decreases from baseline that exceeded the expected biological variation were noted in the RBC count 1 h and 6 h after diving (-2.6% and -2.9%, P<0.0001), hemoglobin 1 h and 6 h after diving (-2.1% and -2.8%, P<0.001), and hematocrit 1 h and 6 h after diving (-2.4% and-3.2%, P<0.001); however, none of these effects were found to be clinically relevant. There was no effect of scuba diving on eosinophil, basophil, and platelet counts; mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH); red cell distribution width (RDW); and mean platelet volume. Regardless of collection timing relative to scuba diving, none of the specimens had visible haemolysis, icterus, or lipemia.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Cell count/volume Hematology/ auto analyzer Protein Macroscopic observation Protein Hematology/ auto analyzer Cell count/volume Macroscopic observation Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Time of biospecimen collection Before scuba-diving
Immediately after scuba-diving
1 h after scuba-diving
6 h after scuba-diving
Preaquisition Diagnosis/ patient condition Before scuba diving
After scuba diving