Polypharmacy among anabolic-androgenic steroid users: a descriptive metasynthesis
Dominic Sagoe,Jim McVeigh,Astrid Bjørnebekk,Marie-Stella Essilfie,Cecilie Schou Andreassen,Ståle Pallesen +5 more
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TLDR
The findings corroborate previous suggestions of associations between AAS use and the use of other licit and illicit substances and suggest efforts must be intensified to combat the debilitating effects of AAS-associated polypharmacy.Abstract:
As far as we are aware, no previous systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative/descriptive literature on polypharmacy in anabolic-androgenic steroid(s) (AAS) users has been published. We systematically reviewed and synthesized qualitative/descriptive literature gathered from searches in electronic databases and by inspecting reference lists of relevant literature to investigate AAS users’ polypharmacy. We adhered to the recommendations of the UK Economic and Social Research Council’s qualitative research synthesis manual and the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 50 studies published between 1985 and 2014 were included in the analysis. Studies originated from 10 countries although most originated from United States (n = 22), followed by Sweden (n = 7), England only (n = 5), and the United Kingdom (n = 4). It was evident that prior to their debut, AAS users often used other licit and illicit substances. The main ancillary/supplementary substances used were alcohol, and cannabis/cannabinoids followed by cocaine, growth hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), amphetamine/meth, clenbuterol, ephedra/ephedrine, insulin, and thyroxine. Other popular substance classes were analgesics/opioids, dietary/nutritional supplements, and diuretics. Our classification of the various substances used by AAS users resulted in 13 main groups. These non-AAS substances were used mainly to enhance the effects of AAS, combat the side effects of AAS, and for recreational or relaxation purposes, as well as sexual enhancement. Our findings corroborate previous suggestions of associations between AAS use and the use of other licit and illicit substances. Efforts must be intensified to combat the debilitating effects of AAS-associated polypharmacy.read more
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History and epidemiology of anabolic androgens in athletes and non-athletes.
TL;DR: AAS abuse has now become particularly prevalent in regions such as Scandinavia, the United States, Brazil, and British Commonwealth countries, but remains rare in countries such as China, Korea, and Japan - a pattern that reflects cultural differences in attitudes towards male muscularity.
Journal ArticleDOI
Outline of a typology of men’s use of anabolic androgenic steroids in fitness and strength training environments*
TL;DR: In this article, the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in fitness and strength training environments have revealed great variance in users' approach to AAS use and more specifically the...
Journal ArticleDOI
Identifying a typology of men who use anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS)
TL;DR: The results of this study demonstrate the need to make information about AAS accessible to the general population and to inform health service providers about variations in motivations and associated risk behaviours.
Journal ArticleDOI
Structural Brain Imaging of Long-Term Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Users and Nonusing Weightlifters.
Astrid Bjørnebekk,Kristine B. Walhovd,Marie Lindvik Jørstad,Paulina Due-Tønnessen,Ingunn Hullstein,Anders M. Fjell +5 more
TL;DR: This large-scale systematic investigation of Aas use on brain structure shows negative correlations between AAS use and brain volume and cortical thickness, which may serve to raise concern about the long-term consequences of AAS Use on structural features of the brain.
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Anabolic steroids in the UK: an increasing issue for public health
Jim McVeigh,Emma Begley +1 more
TL;DR: Key changes in the authors' knowledge during the 20 years, in particular, in relation to HIV prevalence, changes in the market and patterns of use make anabolic steroid use a public health concern.
References
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Paul J. Perry,Eric C. Kutscher,Brian C. Lund,William R. Yates,Timothy L. Holman,Laurence M. Demers +5 more
TL;DR: The subjective (BDHI) and objective (PSAP) assessments of aggression found that supranormal testosterone concentrations were associated with increased aggression, but the PDQ-R results suggest that this finding was confounded by the personality disorder profile of the steroid users.
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Fitness supplements as a gateway substance for anabolic-androgenic steroid use
TL;DR: Body image disturbance, compulsive exercise, illicit drug use, and perfectionism, independent of gender, were significant predictors of positive beliefs about AAS, and future prevention efforts may benefit from targeting legal APED users in youth.
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Anabolics and cardiomyopathy in a bodybuilder: case report and literature review.
Christoph Ahlgrim,Maya Guglin +1 more
TL;DR: A 41-year-old bodybuilder with severe systolic dysfunction and Class IV heart failure despite maximal medical therapy is reported, who used anabolic steroids and insulin growth factor, and did not have any other risk factors for cardiomyopathy.