Blood chemistry profile of a South Pacific Island population

Aims. To determine basic blood chemistry parameters in the Population of th e island of Mauke in the South Pacific. Methods. As a part of a health survey carried out in 1992, 24 laboratory pa rameters were measured in serum samples of 502 subjects representing 80.8% of the total population. Results. Blood glucose, uric acid and globulin values were above the respec tive reference intervals in 9%, 5% and 4% of the subjects. Blood urea nitro gen and serum creatinine values were elevated in 1.8% and 1.2% of the subje cts. Hypoalbuminaemia was found in 1.2% to 4% of the subjects, more frequen tly in the older age groups. Gamma glutamyltransferase levels were elevated in 6.2% of the subjects. Iron values were below the reference interval in 8.0% of the subjects. Serum cholesterol levels were elevated in 4.4% of the subjects. Conclusions. The blood chemistry data reflect the disease profile of this P acific Island population including the presence of diabetes and iron defici ency as well as renal, hepatic and infectious diseases. The data can be use d in comparative inter-island studies as well as in those between Pacific I sland and other populations.