{
  "abstract": "Background and aim Long-term data on cardiac changes in anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users are lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of AAS on cardiac structure and function during long-term follow-up.Methods In this prospective cohort study, AAS users and strength-trained non-users were included and examined at two time points with echocardiography and coronary CT angiography. AAS use and non-use were verified by blood and urine analyses.Results A cohort of 32 AAS users (median age 33 years) and 13 non-users (median age 34 years) were followed for a median of 16 (IQR, 15–17) and 13 (7–15) years, respectively. At baseline, AAS users had been taking AAS for a median of 5–10 years. At follow-up, 15 had discontinued AAS, while 17 remained continued users. At baseline, AAS users presented with larger left ventricular mass (LVM) (266 g (213–319) vs 215 g (196–217), p<0.01), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (49% (44–53) vs 53% (51–56), p=0.05), compared with non-users. At follow-up, LVM in discontinued users was reduced and similar to the non-users, while continued users still had larger LVM. LVEF remained significantly impaired in continued users versus non-users (p<0.01). In discontinued users, LVEF seemed to improve over time. The median change in LVEF over time differed significantly between continued and discontinued AAS users (−2 (−6 to 2) vs 3 (1 to 8), p<0.01). Despite higher cardiac troponin T levels in AAS users, coronary artery disease prevalence did not differ between groups.Conclusion Long-term AAS use was associated with myocardial remodelling and left ventricular dysfunction. In AAS users who discontinued use during follow-up, left ventricular remodelling and systolic function seemed to improve, even after more than a decade of AAS use.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway",
        "Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Tea Sætereng Fyksen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway",
        "Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Jørgen Gravning"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Anne Rossebø"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Paul Vanberg"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Ole Jørgen Grøtta"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway",
        "Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Dan Atar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway",
        "Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Sigrun Halvorsen"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Cardiac structure and function in anabolic-androgenic steroid users: a 16-year follow-up study",
  "uid": "13e189e1-b2a0-5b14-a989-254988a89a55"
}