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[Drug abuse in body builders. A questionnaire study]
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|October 2, 1989
Summary
This study found that many individuals using anabolic steroids (AS) in Denmark exceed therapeutic dosages, leading to significant side effects. Greater awareness and consultation regarding AS risks are crucial for harm reduction.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Anabolic steroid (AS) use is prevalent in weight-training and sports centers.
- A significant portion of users (60%) utilize unregistered preparations.
Purpose:
- To investigate the usage patterns, dosages, side effects, and information-seeking behaviors of anabolic steroid consumers.
- To assess the extent of the illegal anabolic steroid market and inform prophylactic strategies.
Summary:
- 157 individuals completed the questionnaire; 85 out of 138 men reported AS use.
- AS users showed greater participation in competitive sports, higher protein supplement intake, and used dosages ten times the therapeutic recommendation.
- 25% of male users experienced side effects requiring medical consultation, yet less than half sought information or consulted general practitioners.
Impact:
- Findings highlight a substantial illegal anabolic steroid market in Denmark.
- There is a critical need for increased information dissemination on the injurious effects of anabolic steroids to mitigate health risks associated with intensive training.