No association between psychiatric symptoms and doses of anabolic steroids in a cohort of male and female bodybuilders. Issue 6 (21st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amaral, Julio X.; Deslandes, Andrea C.; Padilha, Monica C.; Vieira Neto, Leonardo; Osorio, Luiz E.; Aquino Neto, Francisco Radler; Cruz, Marcelo S.
• Is Part Of: Drug testing and analysis. Volume 14:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1079
• Page End: 1088
• Publication Date: 2022-02-21
• Subjects: aggressiveness -- anabolic steroids -- androgens -- anxiety -- mass spectrometry; Drugs -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Drug testing -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; 615.1901
• DOI: 10.1002/dta.3230
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-7603

Abstract

Abstract: The use of androgenic‐anabolic steroids (AAS) can be associated with psychiatric symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety and increased aggressiveness. Although dose‐dependent effects have been observed in some controlled studies, this association is not always seen in the ecological use of AAS. This study utilized WADA's steroid profile of suspicious use of AAS, urinary detection of AAS metabolites and measurement of sexual hormones to confirm recent use of AAS in a cohort of 103 bodybuilders (75 males, 28 females). The majority of participants (61.2%) presented symptoms of agitation, insomnia, increased aggressiveness or depression in the last 3 months. About one‐third of participants presented scores on the HAM‐A anxiety scale equivalent to moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety. A minority of participants (12.6%) presented high to moderate scores on the BPQ aggressiveness scale. The majority of participants (73.8%) presented hyperthymic temperament in the BRIEF‐TEMPS scale. There was no significant difference in the presence of psychiatric symptoms between males and females and no association between psychiatric symptoms and estimated weekly doses of AAS. A negative association was observed between scores on the BPQ scale (verbal aggression, anger and total score) and the time of AAS use. We discuss differences of AAS use between male and female bodybuilders and the screening of AAS use in the general population. Our findings highlight the importance of mental health awareness among people using AAS. Abstract : This study describes patterns of anabolic steroid use and psychiatric symptoms in a cohort of male and female bodybuilders. Suspicious use of anabolic steroids was confirmed by screening analyses of urinary androgens and sexual hormones.