Deakin University
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

The health effects of non‐prescribed anabolic–androgenic steroid use: Findings from The Performance and image‐enhancing drugs UseRS' Health (PUSH) audit

journal contribution
posted on 2024-07-17, 02:03 authored by Matthew DunnMatthew Dunn, Joshua Dawe, Beng Eu, Kevin Lee, Timothy Piatkowski, Mark Stoové
AbstractIntroductionTo ascertain the adverse health outcomes experienced by those using prescribed testosterone and non‐prescribed anabolic–androgenic steroids presenting to general practitioner (GP) clinics.MethodsRetrospective clinical audit from nine GP clinics in major metropolitan areas across three Australian states. Data included demographic and individual characteristics (age, sexuality, body mass index, smoking status and HIV status); performance and image‐enhancing drug use (type, reasons for use, patient‐reported adverse effects); and blood biochemistry measurements (lipid profiles, liver function tests and red blood cell tests). Adverse health outcomes included evidence of polycythaemia, hypertension, liver abnormalities and hypercholesterolemia.ResultsThree hundred men were identified as either using prescribed testosterone (66%; n = 197) or non‐prescribed anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) (34%; n = 103). Individuals in the prescribed group were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), gay or bisexual (p < 0.001) and living with diagnosed HIV (p < 0.001) compared to individuals in the non‐prescribed group. Abnormal liver function, polycythemia and gynecomastia were the top three adverse events experienced. When adjusting for age, sexuality, HIV status and smoking status, those who used non‐prescribed AAS were more likely to experience any adverse event (aPR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.01–1.60; p = 0.038), hypertension (aPR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.19–2.91; p = 0.006) and liver abnormalities (aPR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.04–2.20; p = 0.030) compared to those using prescribed testosterone.Discussion and ConclusionFor GPs who have clients who may be using, or who they suspect of using, AAS, these findings highlight the importance of not only exploring a patient's history of the adverse effects they have experienced, but that measuring for these other conditions may provide a more accurate clinical picture.

History

Journal

Drug and Alcohol Review

Pagination

1-9

Location

London, Eng.

ISSN

0959-5236

eISSN

1465-3362

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Publisher

Wiley

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC