Premium
Abuse of anabolic‐androgenic steroids and bodybuilding acne: an underestimated health problem
Author(s) -
Melnik Bodo,
Jansen Thomas,
Grabbe Stephan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06176.x
Subject(s) - acne , medicine , substance abuse , medical prescription , anabolism , health care , illicit drug , anabolic androgenic steroids , psychiatry , dermatology , drug , pharmacology , economics , economic growth
Summary Abuse of anabolic‐androgenic steroids (AAS) by members of fitness centers and others in Germany has reached alarming dimensions. The health care system provides the illegal AAS to 48.1 % of abusers. Physicians are involved in illegal prescription of AAS and monitoring of 32.1 % of AAS abusers. Besides health‐threatening cardiovascular, hepatotoxic and psychiatric long‐term side effects of AAS, acne occurs in about 50 % of AAS abusers and is an important clinical indicator of AAS abuse, especially in young men 18‐26 years of age. Both acne conglobata and acne fulminans can be induced by AAS abuse. The dermatologist should recognize bodybuilding acne, address the AAS abuse, and warn the patient about other potential hazards.