Prevalence of antidepressants and biosimilars in elite sport - a follow-up study

Anja Reinartz, Gerd Sigmund, Marc Machnik, Mario Thevis, Wilhelm Schänzer

Publication: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution - Article for conferenceResearch

Abstract

Antidepressants are not prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency for the use in elite sports since the deregulation of amineptine in 2003. A study by Machnik et al. indicated a rise in antidepressant usage by athletes. Based on this survey a follow-up research was initiated to investigate the onward usage of these substances in relation to the general population. From 1999 to 2011 approximately 116.000 doping control samples from 236 sporting different disciplines were analysed for the presence of antidepressants with an analytical-chemistry-based screening procedure routinely used by WADA-accredited laboratories by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Assessing the results for elite sport, prescription data for the general population were consulted provided by the German statutory health insurance. The prevalence of antidepressants in elite sports (0.35%) was well below the medication in the general population (2.25%). The results revealed a steady rise from 1999 to 2006, an abrupt increase in 2007 and 2008 followed by a decrease in 2009 to 2011 to the level of 2007. Most of the detected substances belonged to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The dimension of depressive disorders in elite sports remains vague according to the study design. There is no indication for an application of antidepressants as neuroenhancement by athletes to a greater extent. Verf.-Referat
Original languageGerman
Title of host publicationRecent advances in doping analysis (20) : Proceedings of the Manfred-Donike-Workshop, 30th Cologne Workshop on Dope Analysis : 26th February to 2nd March 2012 2. Variante
EditorsWilhelm Schänzer, Mario Thevis, Hans Geyer, Ute Mareck
Number of pages4
PublisherSportverlag Strauß
Publication date2012
Pages246-249
Publication statusPublished - 2012
EventCologne Workshop on Dope Analysis - Köln, Germany
Duration: 26.02.201202.03.2012
Conference number: 30

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