Evidence Summaries

A Cochrane review (abstract , review ) included 5 studies with a total of 499 patients. Anabolic-androgenic steroids demonstrated no significant effects on mortality (relative risk [RR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79 to 1.29), liver related mortality (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.15), complications of liver disease (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.74 to 2.10), and liver histology. Anabolic-androgenic steroids were not associated with a significantly increased risk of non-serious adverse events but with the seldom occurrence of serious adverse events (RR 4.54, 95% CI 0.57 to 36.30).

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality; inadequate or unclear allocation concealment and inadequate follow up.

References