Disability pension among androgenic-anabolic steroid users

AIM: To examine the association between androgenic-anabolic steroid (AAS) use and the risk of being granted a permanent disability pension.

METHODS: This cohort study included 1189 Danish males, penalized under an antidoping programme for AAS use in fitness centres between 2006 and 2018. These individuals were paired with 59,450 control participants from the general population, matching them based on age, sex and inclusion date. The follow-up period extended until autumn 2022. The study measured the incidence of disability pension awards over the follow-up period. We adjusted for ethnic origin, educational level, Charlson comorbidity index, and psychiatric disorders at baseline, given their potential influence.

RESULTS: During follow-up, 57 AAS users and 1458 control participants were granted disability pension. Thus, AAS users showed a nearly twofold higher risk of becoming disabled compared with controls (unadjusted hazard ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.50-2.54). After adjustments, the risk of disability remained statistically significant (adjusted hazard ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.18-2.08).

CONCLUSIONS: AAS use is significantly associated with an increased risk of disability pension award, meaning that these individuals are deemed to have lost their working ability permanently.