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Androgenic anabolic steroids (AASs) are associated with cardiovascular-related and psychiatric morbidity and mortality, but the magnitude of these risks has been difficult to assess from small studies. In this observational Danish study, researchers identified 1189 young men (mean age, 27) who had received 2-year doping sanctions for AAS use as part of a national antidoping program. Long-term mortality was compared in AAS users and in 60,000 age-matched controls.
During a mean follow-up of 11 years, 2.8% of AAS users and 1% of controls died, for a hazard ratio of 2.8 — a significant difference. In AAS users, HRs were 3.6 for unnatural deaths (i.e., accidents, violent crimes, or suicide) and 2.2 for natural deaths (e.g., cancer, cardiovascula…
