Sudden or Unnatural Deaths Involving Anabolic‐androgenic Steroids

@article{Darke2014SuddenOU,
  title={Sudden or Unnatural Deaths Involving Anabolic‐androgenic Steroids},
  author={Shane Darke and Michelle Torok and Johan Duflou},
  journal={Journal of Forensic Sciences},
  year={2014},
  volume={59}
}
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are frequently misused. [] Key Method To determine causes of death, characteristics, toxicology, and pathology of AAS positive cases, all cases (n = 24) presenting to the New South Wales Department of Forensic Medicine (1995-2012) were retrieved. All were male, and the mean age was 31.7 years. Deaths were mainly due to accidental drug toxicity (62.5%), then suicide (16.7%) and homicide (12.5%). Abnormal testosterone/epitestosterone ratios were reported in 62.5%, followed…
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53 Citations

Anabolic androgenic steroid abuse in the United Kingdom: An update
TLDR
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) are prescribed for medical conditions related to low testosterone, but have potential to cause serious hepatotoxicity, plus possible neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and damage to the cardiovascular and reproductive systems.
Adverse Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: A Literature Review
TLDR
It is suggested that AAS misuse and abuse lead to adverse effects in all body tissues and organs, especially long-term toxicity involving the cardiovascular system and the reproductive system, and public health measures in all settings are crucial.
Acute and chronic adverse reaction of anabolic–androgenic steroids
TLDR
Anabolic–androgenic steroids (anabolic androgens, AAS) are widely abused to enhance performance in sport but the underlying personality traits of AAS abusers and concomitant alcohol use, may confound this relationship.
Positive and negative side effects of androgen abuse. The HAARLEM study: A one‐year prospective cohort study in 100 men
TLDR
AAS dose and cycle duration were not associated with the type and severity of side effects, and all subjects experienced positive effects during AAS use, and four subjects experienced a serious adverse event.
Forensic Post-Mortem Investigation in AAS Abusers: Investigative Diagnostic Protocol. A Systematic Review
TLDR
A systematic review of deaths related to AAS abuse and to investigation of the autopsy results and histopathological findings using a rigorous methodology protocol covering: a complete autopsy, histological analysis, and a broad toxicological investigation to define an investigative diagnostic protocol supporting forensic pathologists during the post-mortem investigation of AAS abusers.
Polypharmacy among anabolic-androgenic steroid users: a descriptive metasynthesis
TLDR
The findings corroborate previous suggestions of associations between AAS use and the use of other licit and illicit substances and suggest efforts must be intensified to combat the debilitating effects of AAS-associated polypharmacy.
Anabolic-androgenic Steroid use and Psychopathology in Athletes. A Systematic Review
TLDR
The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids by professional and recreational athletes is increasing worldwide, and AASs show mood destabilizing effects, with longterm use inducing depression and short-term hypomania; withdrawal/discontinuation may be accompanied by depression.
Cardiotoxicity in rabbits after long-term nandrolone decanoate administration.
Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Abuse: The Effects on Thrombosis Risk, Coagulation, and Fibrinolysis
TLDR
To provide clear evidence for a causal relationship between AAS abuse and thrombosis risk, future studies need to address a range of potential biases, insufficient methodology, and other shortcomings of the current literature as highlighted in this review.
In a Case of Death Involving Steroids, Hair Testing is more Informative than Blood or Urine Testing.
TLDR
This case indicates that more attention should be paid to anabolic steroids, in a context of sudden cardiac death, and hair analyses seem to be the best approach to document anabolic agents abuse.
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