Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.035

Does recreational scuba diving have clinically significant effect on routine haematological parameters?

Antonija Perovic ; Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Dubrovnik General Hospital, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Nora Nikolac ; University Department of Chemistry, Medical School University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Marina Njire Braticevic ; Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Dubrovnik General Hospital, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Ana Milcic ; Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Dubrovnik General Hospital, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Sandra Sobocanec ; Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Tihomir Balog ; Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Sanja Dabelic ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Zagreb, Croatia
Jerka Dumic ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

IntroductionScuba diving represents a combination of exercise and changes in environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate changes in haematological parameters after recreational scuba diving in order to identify clinically significant changes. Materials and methodsThe study included males, 17 recreational divers, median age (range) 41 (30-52) years. Blood samples were taken before diving, immediately after diving to 30 meters for 30 minutes, 3 hours and 6 hours after diving. Complete blood counts were analyzed on the Cell Dyn Ruby haematology analyzer. Statistical significance between successive measurements was tested using Friedman test. The difference between the two measurements was judged against desirable bias (DSB) derived from biological variation and calculated reference change values (RCV). The difference higher than RCV was considered clinically significant. ResultsA statistically significant increase and difference judging against DSB was observed: for neutrophils immediately, 3 and 6 hours after diving (18%, 34% and 36%, respectively), for white blood cells (WBCs) 3 and 6 hours after diving (20% and 25%, respectively), for lymphocytes (20%) and monocytes (23%) 6 hours after diving. A statistically significant decrease and difference judging against DSB was found: immediately after diving for monocytes (- 15%), 3 and 6 hours after diving for red blood cells (RBCs) (- 2.6% and -2.9%, respectively), haemoglobin (- 2.1% and - 2.8%, respectively) and haematocrit (- 2.4% and - 3.2%, respectively). A clinically significant change was not found for any of the test parameters when compared to RCV. ConclusionsObserved statistically significant changes after recreational scuba diving; WBCs, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes increase and RBCs, haemoglobin, haematocrit decrease, probably will not affect clinical decision.

Keywords

diving; preanalytical phase; blood cell count; evaluation

Hrčak ID:

183384

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/183384

Publication date:

15.6.2017.

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