The impact of working onboard ships on individual metabolic profiles: Comparing pre-embarkation and post-embarkation testing among Filipino seafarers.

Authors

Antonio Roberto Abaya, Earl Jerald Cansino, Maria Luisa Sanchez, Fritz Andrew Soriano, Jose Alfonso Madroño, Carla Andrea Abaya, Paul Mitchell Garcia, Manuel Jr Vidal

Published in

International maritime health. Aug 24, 2026. Epub Aug 24, 2026.

Abstract

Filipino seafarers comprise nearly one-third of the global maritime workforce and face oc-cupational exposures that may elevate cardiometabolic risk. Prolonged deployments marked by irregular schedules, limited physical activity, and constrained dietary diversity can influence metabolic regulation. The objective was to examine pre- to post-embarkation changes in metabolic parameters among Filipino seafarers and identify demographic and occupational predictors of these changes.
A retrospective paired analysis of 402 male seafarers was conducted using pre- and post-embarkation medical records. Continuous and categorical parameters were assessed using paired t-tests and McNemar's tests. A repeated-measures ANOVA, adjusted for age and work location, evaluated within-person changes, while generalized estimating equations identified predictors of metabolic outcomes.
Significant increases were observed in body mass index (BMI) (26.30 → 26.66 kg/m2; p < 0.001), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (5.13 → 5.28 mmol/L; p < 0.001), impaired fasting glucose (2.2% → 4.5%; p = = 0.035), and hyperuricemia (13.2% → 18.4%; p = 0.034). Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) decreased (40.07 → 33.27 U/L; p < 0.001), accompanied by a decline in the prevalence of elevated SGPT (35.3% → 20.4%; p < 0.001). All lipid fractions, creatinine, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and anemia remained stable. In adjusted models, only SGPT (F (1,397) = 4.63; p = 0.032) and triglycerides (F (1,397) = = 6.082; p = 0.014) showed significant time effects. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) models identified post-embarkation timing as a predictor of impaired fasting glucose [odds ratio (OR) 2.08; p = 0.036], hyperu-ricemia (OR = 1.49; p = 0.036), and reduced odds of elevated SGPT (OR = 0.48; p < 0.001). Engine department assignment (OR = 1.93; p = 0.009) and older age (OR = 1.019; p = 0.037) independently predicted elevated SGPT.
Seafaring deployment is associated with selective metabolic perturbations, particularly affecting glu-cose, uric acid, and hepatic enzyme regulation. These findings highlight occupation as a social determinant of health and emphasize the need for proactive, department-specific metabolic monitoring and shipboard health programs.

PMID:
42635433
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Aug 2026.

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