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Recruiting NCT05599438

Prospective, Longitudinal Study on FItness DOping in DenmarK

Observational Anabolic Steroid Overdose Infertility Cardiovascular Complication Illicit Drug Use

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: No intervention.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Anabolic Steroid Overdose, Infertility, Cardiovascular Complication, Illicit Drug Use. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Denmark
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Official title

Prospective, Longitudinal Study of 800 Recreational Athletes With Current and Former Use of Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIED), Focusing on Androgenic Anabolic Steroids (AAS) - Rigshospitalet

Overview

The aim of this prospective longitudinal study is to investigate the risks associated with use of anabolic steroids in fitness circles in Denmark in order to assess the scope of therapeutic need existing as a consequence of use. The objectives are: * To assess long-term complications and outcomes related to: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gonadal disease (women and men) and psychiatric disease using data from Danish registries including addressing central questions such as whether the following characteristics play a role for development of overt disease * Characterization of illicit AAS use among men and women * Current male reproductive health * Current psychological well-being, aggressive tendencies, cognitive function and quality of life * Current cardiovascular and metabolic status The participants will undergo: * Semi-structured medical interview * Physical examinations * Questionnaires * Blood and urine sampling * Dual X-ray Absorptiometry With a subset undergoing further testing, including semen analysis, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and human chorionic gonadotropinm (hCG) stimulation and 82Rubidium positron emission tomography and computer tomography (PET/CT). Register-based follow-up is planned every third year until the 15th year, marking the completion of the trial. The study will include 800 participants with current or former AAS use and 100 participants (80 male; 20 female) as controls with no former or current use of AAS.

Detailed description

Anabolic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivates of the male sexhormone testosterone. The use of AAS is a growing phenomenon and have extended beyond the elite performance and body builder communities, involving a broader populace. The continued use causes a long-term impairment of testicular function, with symptoms of including impotence, depression, infertility and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. AAS use is a clinical challenge as many psychological symptoms worsen in case of cessation of use. As AAS is often used by young individuals, the fulminant disease is rarely found by incidental screening. To assess long-term consequences, a large cohort is in need to be studied to accurately identify the risk of disease and when to initiate treatment. Furthermore, despite the use of AAS in women is present, the scientific community has thus far not taken notice, and the consequences are unknown, but are presumed to - beyond the changes in physical appearance - to include changes in fertility, risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As AAS is acquired illicitly, the knowledge on the consequences of AAS use is sparse. No international or national consensus or recommendations exist as to the how to stop AAS use, screening of disease or therapeutic option in case of manifestations of symptoms or fulminant disease. The aim of the current study is to elucidate on the consequences of use of AAS in fitness circles in Denmark to assess the scope of therapeutic need.

Interventions

  • Other No intervention
    No intervention

Primary outcome measures

  • Cardiovascular composite endpoint [Time frame: 15 years]
Secondary outcome measures (6)
  • Fertility-related composite endpoint [Time frame: 15 years]
  • Metabolism-related composite endpoint [Time frame: 15 years]
  • Mental health-related composite endpoint [Time frame: 15 years]
  • Male fertility [Time frame: Baseline comparison when substudy is completed (expected 2023)]
  • Myocardial flow reserve [Time frame: Baseline comparison when substudy is completed (expected 2023)]
  • hCG stimulation test [Time frame: Baseline comparison when substudy is completed (expected 2023)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

\- Male and female recreational athletes (≥18 years of age) with current or former illicit use (>3 months since AAS cessation) of PIEDs (e.g. AAS) for a minimum four weeks

Inclusion Criteria (Controls, n = 100):

\- Male (n=80) or female (n=20) recreational athletes (≥18 years of age) with NO current or former illicit use of AAS.

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe psychiatric or somatic diseases which makes it impossible to give informed consent or comply with the investigatory program.
  • Known pregnancy.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Observational model
Case-control

Study locations

Denmark · 1 center
  • Rigshospitalet — Copenhagen

Identifiers

NCT: NCT05599438 · H-21035759

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗