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Abstract

Background and objective: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are used as performance enhancement and are widely utilized among athletes and non-athletes worldwide. Although the risk-benefit ratio of using Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) explicitly Anabolic-androgenic steroids are primarily published as systematic reviews and post-mortem case reports, there are limited reports on the effects of PEDs on body mass index, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Thus, this study explored the effects of performance enhancement drugs on the body mass index, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels of an adult male with no history of diagnosed physical and mental health comorbidities, with a BMI of 36.65 percent for three months. Methods:The present study utilized a mixed-method case study design. Data on the case presentation, investigation, treatment, physical and mental effects experienced by the patient during the three-month PED cycle were gathered from the patient through a face-to-face interview. Moreover, the data on the patient's body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and blood sugar (BS) levels were collated by the researchers at the private clinic every second week of the month and were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Results:The patient's first month mean BMI was 36.65 ± 1.68 and decreased to 27.70 ± 0.71 in the third month. Moreover, the patient's mean BP in the first month was 119.83 ± 7.36/75.83 ± 8.38 mmHg and increased slightly to 125.80 ± 7.86/87.07 ± 8.25 in the third month. In terms of blood sugar levels, the patient's mean in the first month indicated 84.77 ± 8.05 mg/dL and maintained at 87.07 ± 8.25 mg/dL in the third month. The overall results of the patient's mean BMI, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels indicate significant differences in the BMI, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels following the 3-month PED cycle. Conclusions:Our study provides evidence that performance enhancement drugs significantly affect the patient's body mass index, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels after a 3-month PED cycle.