You are viewing the site in preview mode

Skip to main content

Table 1 Summary of included studies

From: Treatments for people who use anabolic androgenic steroids: a scoping review

Reference no.CountryStudy designDiagnosisTreatment approach
Psychiatric (n = 12)
  [87]USACSDepressionMedical therapy
  [88]USACRSubstance dependenceDrug treatment programme participation
  [89]CanadaCRDepressed mood with anxiety, paranoia, derealisationMedical therapy, electroconvulsive treatment
  [90]GreeceCRMood disorder with manic featuresMedical therapy
  [91]GermanyCRManiaMedical therapy
  [92]USACRBorderline personality disorder with antisocial traitsMedical therapy, education about AAS, psychotherapy
  [93]IndiaCRSubstance dependence including opioids and AASMedical therapy for AAS and opioid withdrawal, psycho-education and relapse prevention
  [94]IrelandCRMixed psychotic disorderMedical therapy
  [95]USACRAcute maniaMedical therapy
  [96]UKCRPsychosis with low moodMedical therapy
  [97]USACRAAS dependenceDrug treatment programme participation
  [98]USACRAAS dependenceMedical therapy
Neuroendocrine (n = 11)
  [99]NetherlandsCRHypogonadotropic hypogonadismMedical therapy
  [100]USACRHypogonadismMedical therapy
  [101]MalaysiaCRComplete azoospermiaMedical therapy
  [102]UKCRSevere hypogonadotropic hypogonadismMedical therapy
  [103]UKCSAzoospermiaAdvice to discontinue AAS
  [104]USACRImpotence—reduced testicular volume on both sides and gynaecomastia on both sidesMedical therapy
  [105]USACRAzoospermiaDiscontinuation of all medications; medical therapy
  [106]USARCRAzoospermiaAAS cessation and medical therapy
  [107]ItalyCRHypogonadotropic hypogonadismMedical therapy following AAS discontinuation
  [108]USACSHypogonadismMedical therapy
  [109]USACRAzoospermiaMedical therapy
Hepatic (n = 25)
  [110]USACRTumour haemorrhage in liver. On second presentation: tender hepatomegaly and haemorrhage, tachycardiaSurgery; instruction to discontinue AAS
  [111]MexicoCRLiver toxicity, cholestasisMedical therapy; AAS discontinued
  [112]USACSHepatotoxicityMedical therapy
  [113]USACRLiver toxicityMedical therapy
  [114]USACSHepatotoxicity. In one case, patient suffered from renal failure.Medical therapy
  [115]SpainCS1) Hyperechogenic lesions in the liver; 2) Acute renal failure, muscular damage, metabolic alkalosis and hypernatraemia1) Instruction to discontinue AAS; inclusion in liver transplantation program; 2) Patient received haemodialysis; instruction to discontinue AAS.
  [116]UKCRHepatic rupture with cardiovascular collapse, sepsis and acute renal failureResuscitation, surgery
  [117]GermanyCRHepatocellular carcinoma. Liver was enormously enlargedChemoembolization was declined by patient who was recommended for transplantation
  [118]AustraliaCRHepatocellular carcinomaSurgery
  [119]LebanonCRLiver injury resulting in prolonged cholestasis and acute kidney injuryAdvice to discontinue AAS, medical therapy, plasma exchange. Patient refused renal biopsy.
  [120]ChinaCRDilated cardiomyopathy and acute hepatic injuryMedical therapy
  [121]PolandCRSevere intrahepatic cholestasis that developed to severe liver failureMedical therapy
  [122]UKCSCholestasisMedical therapy
  [123]SpainCRSevere cholestatic jaundiceUnclear
  [124]USACSSevere hepatotoxicity, cholestasisMedical therapy
  [125]NetherlandsCRMild jaundice; cholestatic hepatitis identified through liver biopsyMedical therapy
  [126]UKCRThree grade II oesophageal varicesBlood transfusion and sclerotherapy
  [127]AustraliaCRIntrahepatic cholestasisMedical therapy
  [128]USACRSevere cholestasis and renal failure. Re-admitted with pruritusMedical therapy
  [129]SpainCRHepatic rupture, liver failure. Hematoma of the liverSurgery
  [130]USACRAcute, nonobstructive, intrahepatic cholestatic hepatitisMedical therapy; advice to avoid other medications
  [131]USACRSevere jaundice, bile acid nephropathyMedical therapy, blood transfusion, AAS discontinued
  [132]SpainCSSevere cholestasis, hepatotoxicityMedical therapy followed by MARS therapy
  [133]BrazilCRGiant hepatic adenomaSurgery
  [134]GermanyCRHepatocellular carcinomaSurgery
Kidney (n = 6)
  [135]USACRInitial diagnosis of hepatic adenomatosis (2004). On third admission, diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and coronary artery disease (2013)Advice given to discontinue AAS initially. Surgery at later presentation.
  [136]SpainCRSevere acute kidney failure with high blood pressure, anaemia and thrombocytopeniaMedical therapy
  [137]IranCRAcute renal failure; muscle injury and rhabdomyolysisMedical therapy
  [138]BrazilCSAcute kidney injury in both casesMedical therapy.
  [139]USACRRecurrent renal infarctionMedical therapy, AAS counselling
  [140]LebanonCRAcute pancreatitis, acute renal failure and hypercalcemia.Medical therapy
Cardiovascular (n = 26)
  [141]JapanCRCardioembolic strokeMedical therapy, AAS use discontinued
  [142]SwedenCRIntraparenchymal haemorrhage in right parietal lobe; right cortical venous thrombosisAnticoagulation therapy
  [143]UKCRAcute myocardial infarctionSurgery
  [144]EgyptCRSevere toxic cardiomyopathy.Medical therapy
  [145]CanadaCRCardiomyopathyIncubation, medical therapy, resuscitation, dialysis and device implantation, addiction counselling referral
  [146]ArgentinaCRPosterior territory ischemic stroke.Intubation and ventilation; rehabilitation
  [147]SwedenCRSevere hypertensionAggressive treatment with intravenous drugs; AAS cessation
  [148]TurkeyCRAcute coronary syndromeMedical therapy
  [149]SwedenCSi) Occlusion of all major arteries of the leg.
ii) Arterial thrombosis:		i) Surgery
ii) Thrombolysis attempted with no improvement. Surgery performed.
  [150]CanadaCRStroke. Upon readmission 3 years later, diffused distal arterial thrombosisMedical therapy
  [151]KuwaitCRCardiomyopathy, stroke and peripheral vascular diseaseMedical therapy
  [152]PortugalCRSevere toxic cardiomyopathy.Medical therapy
  [153]USACRMyocardial infarctionMedical therapy
  [154]TurkeyCRMyocardial infarctionMedical therapy
  [155]GreeceCRMyocardial infarctionMedical therapy
  [156]USACRAcute myocardial infarction and polycythaemiaSurgery, medical therapy, phlebotomy.
  [157]PortugalCRMyocardial infarctionMedical therapy.
  [158]TurkeyCRAcute inferior myocardial infarction, renal infarctionMedical therapy, surgery
  [159]USACRAcute myocardial infarctionMedical therapy, rehabilitation
  [160]USACRMyocardial infarctionMedical therapy
  [161]AustraliaCRPersistent atrial fibrillationElectrical cardioversion, medical therapy.
  [162]GermanyCRSevere coronary heart diseaseSurgery, medical therapy
  [163]UKCRCoronary thrombusMedical therapy
  [164]USACRCardiomyopathy, severe systolic dysfunction and Class IV heart failure.Medical therapy and device implementation until discharge.
  [165]USACRCardiomyopathy, acute systolic heart failure.Medical therapy, instruction not to use AAS.
  [166]FinlandCSCardiac hypertrophySurgery, medical therapy. In one case, no treatment was reported
Musculoskeletal (n = 13)
  [167]USACRTear in the midsubstance of the triceps tendon.Surgery, immobilisation
  [168]IsraelCRMassive rhabdomyolysisMedical therapy
  [169]IrelandCRQuadriceps tendon rupture, patella tendon rupture, distal femur fracture, patella dislocation in both legsSurgery, immobilisation, physiotherapy
  [170]IranCRQuadriceps tendon rupture in both knees and partial rupture of triceps tendon.Surgery, immobilisation, physiotherapy
  [171]UKCRBilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendonSurgery, immobilisation
  [172]DenmarkCRComplete rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon.Surgery, immobilisation
  [173]FinlandCRComplete bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture in both legsSurgery, immobilisation
  [174]UKCRRupture of both quadriceps tendonsSurgery, immobilisation, physiotherapy
  [175]FinlandCRBilateral distal biceps tendon avulsionsSurgery, immobilisation, physiotherapy
  [176]UKCRComplete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligamentPhysiotherapy
  [177]UKCRRhabdomyolysis. Initially diagnosed with musculoskeletal pain.Medical therapy
  [178]UKCRBilateral simultaneous traumatic upper arm compartment syndromesSurgery
  [179]ItalyCRComplete tear of quadriceps tendonSurgery, immobilisation, rehabilitation
Infectious (n = 7)
  [180]USACRAbscess.Medical therapy; AAS counselling
  [181]IsraelCRFull thickness skin and subcutaneous tissue necrosisSurgery
  [182]USACRPyomyositisMedical therapy, surgery
  [183]UKCSInjection injurySurgery, medical therapy
  [184]TurkeyCRSpontaneous corpus cavernosum abscessSurgery
  [185]UKCRNecrotizing myositisSurgery, medical therapy
  [186]UKCRAbscessSurgery, medical therapy
Other (n = 8)
  [187]UKCRChronic laryngitisMedical therapy followed by laser treatments
  [188]UKCRHypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis.Fluid provision
  [189]UKCRAbnormal lipid profileAdvice to stop using AAS
  [190]UKCRAcute respiratory distress syndromeIntubation and ventilation; rehabilitation.
  [191]USACRMultiple organ dysfunction syndrome, acute kidney injury and refractory supraventricular tachycardiaResuscitation, medical therapy, ventilation, haemodialysis and electrical cardioversion for different symptoms.
  [192]USACRNew onset of diabetesMedical therapy, AAS advice
  [193]LebanonCSSpontaneous subdural haematomaSurgery
  [194]UKCRBilateral internal laryngocoelesMedical therapy
  1. CR case report, CS case series, RCR retrospective chart review
Back to article page

Harm Reduction Journal

ISSN: 1477-7517