HEALTH OUTCOMES OF FEMALE ANABOLIC-ANDROGENIC STEROID USERS

Author(s)

Noone J*1, Blanchette CM2 1University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA, 2University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, USA

OBJECTIVES: Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) have been used for muscle mass development for over fifty years.  The health outcomes of supraphysiologic doses of AAS have been debated, but most existing information pertains to men.  This purpose of the study is to use the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (AddHealth) to elucidate health outcomes of AAS usage in women. METHODS:  A cohort study of female AAS users were assessed in two time periods six years apart.  Baseline descriptive statistics were used to describe age, income, race, drug use, education, and work performed for the sample.  Follow up health outcomes include diabetes, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, anger, physician visit, use of medical care in the last year, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), C-reactive protein, and HbA1C.  Each dependent variable was tested in independent logistic regressions and in sensitivity tests using a MANOVA. RESULTS:  The sample included 49 female respondents. Education was associated with a two-fold greater odds of AAS use comparing those who attended vocational school to those who attended college (OR=2.22, p=.03). Anger was associated with 88% greater risk of AAS use (OR=1.88, p=.04).  HbA1c in the pre-diabetic range, while not statistically significant may be associated with AAS use (OR=1.85, p=.05). No other health outcomes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the literature of female AAS use showing little in health care usage and long term health consequences.  Anger is associated with male users but little research exists pertaining to this phenomenon in women.  Elevated HbA1c is not commonly associated with AAS use, but due to the small sample size more research should assess AAS use among females.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2013-11, ISPOR Europe 2013, The Convention Centre Dublin

Value in Health, Vol. 16, No. 7 (November 2013)

Code

PIH57

Topic

Health Service Delivery & Process of Care

Topic Subcategory

Prescribing Behavior

Disease

Pediatrics, Reproductive and Sexual Health

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