[Doping--a medical problem in Denmark?]

Misuse of drugs in relation to doping has been known for many years in Denmark. The Sports Confederation of Denmark carries out about 1000 doping controls every year on athletes at both competitions and training-sessions. In the period 1991-1996, 5084 doping controls were performed. Six athletes who refused to participate were excluded from organized sport for a period of two years. Forty-three athletes were found positive for drugs; 32 were positive for androgenic-anabolic steroids, 11 were positive for different stimulants including amphetamine, cocaine, caffeine and ephedrine. The misuse of drugs outside organized sport is considered to be a growing problem. Three percent of all persons between fifteen and fifty years have tried some kind of doping. The number of misusers of androgenic-anabolic steroids in Denmark is considered to be around 10,000. Side-effects are numerous and include cardiovascular side-effects, psychiatric disturbances and hepatotoxicity. It is important that all doctors be aware of the side-effects and health problems in misusers.