Biochemical Profiles of Submariners: A Longitudinal Health Study

Abstract : As part of this Laboratory's Longitudinal Health Study, the sera of 466 submariners were analyzed for 12 biochemical parameters using standardized automated procedures. In addition, a two hour glucose tolerance test was performed on each participant. Mean values of all parameters measured were within generally accepted normal clinical limits. The values for cholesterol, uric acid, inorganic phosphate, and glucose were shown to be distributed according to Gaussian probability curves. A slight skewing was demonstrated for total calcium lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and total protein. Blood urea nitrogen, serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, albumin, and bilirubin exhibited marked skewness. The significance of these distributions is discussed.