The prevalence of anabolic androgenic steroid use amongst athletes in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
Keywords:
Anabolic androgenic steroid, Body dysmorphia, Athletes, MotivationAbstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use among athletes and examine the extent of their knowledge on the effects of AAS in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at gyms in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during 2015. In total 600 athletes from three gyms participated in the study. The study included Saudi and non-Saudi athletes chosen by the simple random sampling method. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was designed to study the prevalence and assess the knowledge of athletes regarding AAS use. Frequency and percentage distributions were used to describe the data. Comparison between the subgroups was made with a chi-square test.
Results: The percentage of AAS users was 30.5%. The age of AAS users ranged from 15 to 49 years with the majority (52.5%) belonging to age group of 25-29 years. Approximately 20% of the users admitted using AAS due to body dysmorphia as their best motivational factor; in addition, they also believed that there are no side effects of the use. Among the nonusers, 40% had appropriate knowledge, while all the AAS-users had inadequate knowledge about the adverse effects of AAS. Moreover, 77% of the users would recommend AAS to their friends but none from the nonusers. A significant difference in age distribution (df = 5, p<0.001) and knowledge (df = 4, p< 0.001) between users and nonusers was observed.
Conclusion: Most athletes were ignorant of the harmful side effects of the drug but still continued to use and promote it to other athletes. These athletes should intensify their knowledge and awareness regarding the use of AAS and its effects on the body.
References
Hartgens F, Kuipers H. Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Sports Med. 2004; 34(8): 513- 54. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200434080-00003. PMID: 15248788.
Hall RC, Hall RC. Abuse of supraphysiologic doses of anabolic steroids. South Med J. 2005; 98(5): 550-5.
doi: 10.1097/01.SMJ.0000157531.04472.B2. PMID: 15954512.
Takahashi M, Tatsugi Y, Kohno T. Endocrinological and pathological effects of anabolic-androgenic
steroid in male rats. Endocr J. 2004; 51(4): 425-34. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.51.425. PMID: 15351799.
Lang T, Streeper T, Cawthon P, Baldwin K, Taaffe DR, Harris TB. Sarcopenia: etiology, clinical
consequences, intervention, and assessment. Osteoporos Int. 2010; 21(4): 543-9. doi: 10.1007/s00198-009- 1059-y. PMID: 19779761, PMCID: PMC2832869.
Gelfand JA, Sherins RJ, Alling DW, Frank MM. Treatment of hereditary angioedema with danazol:
reversal of clinical and biochemical abnormalities. N Engl J Med. 1976; 295(26): 1444-8. doi:
1056/NEJM197612232952602. PMID: 792688.
Ammus SS. The role of androgens in the treatment of hematologic disorders. Adv Intern Med. 1989; 34:
-208. PMID: 2644756.
Demling RH, Orgill DP. The anticatabolic and wound healing effects of the testosterone analog
oxandrolone after severe burn injury. J Crit Care. 2000; 15(1): 12-7. doi: 10.1053/jcrc.2000.0150012.
PMID: 10757193.
Joss EE, Mullis PE. Delayed puberty in boys. Current Therapy in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 1994; 5:
-300. PMID: 7704738.
Knopp WD, Wang TW, Bach Jr BR. Ergogenic drugs in sports. Clin Sports Med. 1997; 16(3): 375-92. doi:
1016/S0278-5919(05)70031-4.
Piacentino D, Kotzalidis GD, Del Casale A, Aromatario MR, Pomara C, Girardi P. Anabolic-androgenic
Steroid use and Psychopathology in Athletes. A Systematic Review. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015; 13(1):
-21. doi: 10.2174/1570159X13666141210222725. PMID: 26074746, PMCID: PMC4462035.
Mewis C, Spyridopoulos I, Kühlkamp V, Seipel L. Manifestation of severe coronary heart disease after
anabolic drug abuse. Clin Cardiol. 1996; 19(2): 153-5. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960190216. PMID: 8821428.
Socas L, Zumbado M, Pérez-Luzardo O, Ramos A, Pérez C, Hernández JR, et al. Hepatocellular adenomas
associated with anabolic androgenic steroid abuse in bodybuilders: a report of two cases and a review of the
literature. Br J Sports Med. 2005; 39(5): e27. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2004.013599. PMID: 15849280, PMCID:
PMC1725213.
Stimac D, Milić S, Dintinjana RD, Kovac D, Ristić S. Androgenic/anabolic steroid-induced toxic hepatitis.
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2002; 35(4): 350-2. doi: 10.1097/00004836-200210000-00013. PMID: 12352300.
Winkler UH. Effects of androgens on haemostasis. Maturitas. 1996; 24(3): 147-55. doi: 10.1016/S0378- 5122(96)82004-4. PMID: 8844628.
Dohle GR, Smit M, Weber RF. Androgens and male fertility. World J Urol. 2003; 21(5): 341-5. doi:
1007/s00345-003-0365-9. PMID: 14566423.
Tahtamouni LH, Mustafa NH, Alfaouri AA, Hassan IM, Abdalla MY, Yasin SR. Prevalence and risk
factors for anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse among Jordanian collegiate students and athletes. European
Journal of Public Health. 2008; 18(6): 661-5. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckn062. PMID: 18603598.
Alsaeed I, Alabkal JR. Usage and perceptions of anabolic-androgenic steroids among male fitness centre
attendees in Kuwait--a cross-sectional study. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2015; 10: 33. doi:
1186/s13011-015-0030-5. PMID: 26296560, PMCID: PMC4546264.
Costa Abrahin OS, Félix Souza NS, Corrêa de Sousa E, Rodrigues Moreira JK, Cunha do Nascimento V.
Prevalence of the use of anabolic androgenic steroids by physical education students and teachers who
work in health clubs. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2013; 19(1): 27-30. doi: 10.1590/S1517- 86922013000100005.
Al-falasi O, Al-dahmani K, Al-eisaei K, Al-ameri S, Al-maskari F, Nagelkerke N, et al. Knowledge,
attitude and practice of anabolic steroids use among gym users in Al-Ain District, United Arab Emirates.
The Open Sports Medicine Journal. 2008: 75-81. doi: 10.2174/1874387000802010075.
Nojoomi M, Behravan V. Study of anabolic steroids and the awareness of their complications in
bodybuilding athletes in Karaj (2003). RJMS. 2005; 11(44): 1057-63.
Perry PJ, Lund BC, Deninger MJ, Kutscher EC, Schneider J. Anabolic steroid use in weightlifters and
bodybuilders: an Internet survey of drug utilization. Clin J Sport Med. 2005; 15(5): 326-30. doi:
1097/01.jsm.0000180872.22426.bb. PMID: 16162991.
Baker JS, Graham MR, Davies B. Steroid and prescription medicine abuse in the health and fitness
community: a regional study. Eur J Intern Med. 2006; 17(7): 479-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2006.04.010.
PMID: 17098591.
Yesalis CE, Bahrke MS. Doping among adolescent athletes. Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol
Metab. 2000; 14(1): 25-35. doi: 10.1053/beem.2000.0051.
Yesalis CE. Use of steroids for self-enhancement: an epidemiologic/societal perspective. AIDS Read. 2001;
(3): 157-60. PMID: 17004353.
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2020 KNOWLEDGE KINGDOM PUBLISHING
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.