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The dire consequences of doping

2008; Elsevier BV; Volume: 372; Issue: 9639 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0140-6736(08)61278-7

1474-547X

Peter Arne Gerber, Gabriela Kukova, Stephan Meller, Norbert Neumann, Bernhard Homey,

Sexual Differentiation and Disorders

Various cases in professional sports have brought the matter of doping—the use of performance-enhancing drugs—to the attention of the broad public. Here, we present a case of doping in a 21-year-old amateur bodybuilder. The man presented to our clinic feeling generally unwell. He was subfebrile and had massive, deep ulcerations, abscesses, and pustules located on his chest and upper back (figure). Persistent questioning revealed a history of continuous abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (testosterone enantate 250 mg plus metandienona 30 mg twice weekly), which was consistent with the diagnosis of a severe acne conglobata that was anabolic-androgenic steroid induced. Additional investigations showed a substantial impairment in sperm concentration and reduced testicular volume. Skin lesions showed rapid improvement after discontinuation of anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse and with antiseptic and antibiotic therapy. However, the extensive scarring is likely to remain with the young man for the rest of his life.