Reninom ­ en ovanlig men botbar orsak till sekundär hypertoni.

Reninoma - rare juxtaglomerular tumor associated with hypertension We present a case study of two female patients, aged 20-30 years, who were diagnosed with reninoma, a rare juxtaglomerular tumor associated with hypertension, high plasma renin and hypokalemia. Both patients were referred to the Department of Internal Medicine at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, but their cases were ten years apart. In both instances, the renin-secreting tumor was surgically removed, resulting in the normalization of blood pressure without the need for antihypertensive medication. Based on our findings, we recommend physicians interested in hypertension to analyze plasma renin levels before starting antihypertensive treatment in young patients. Additionally, we suggest performing an MRI of the kidneys followed by renal vein catheterization, which can confirm but not exclude the presence of a reninoma. It is important to note that treatment with RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) blockers may mask the effects of reninoma on blood pressure and potassium levels. Since RAAS blockers are contraindicated during pregnancy, it is of particular importance to diagnose reninoma in young women of childbearing age.

Positive Effect of Parathyroidectomy Compared to Observation on BMD in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Mild Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Mild or asymptomatic disease is now the dominating presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). However, bone involvement with decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of fractures has been demonstrated. Indications for parathyroidectomy (PTX) in mild PHPT have been debated for years. There is a need of long-term randomized studies comparing PTX with observation without intervention (OBS). Here, we present bone health data from the Scandinavian Investigation of Primary Hyperparathyroidism (SIPH), a randomized controlled trial, comparing PTX to OBS. This study included 191 patients (96 OBS/95 PTX), and 129 patients (64 OBS/65 PTX) were followed for 10 years to the end of study (EOS). BMD was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), peripheral fractures were noted, and spine radiographs were obtained for vertebral fracture assessment. There was a significant treatment effect of PTX on BMD compared with OBS for all analyzed compartments, most explicit for the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) (p < 0.001). The mean changes in T-score from baseline to 10 years were from 0.41 for radius 33% (Rad33) to 0.58 for LS greater in the PTX group than in the OBS group. There was a significant decrease in BMD for all compartments in the OBS group, most pronounced for FN, Rad33, and ultradistal radius (UDR) (p < 0.001). Even though there was a significant treatment effect of PTX compared with OBS, there was only a significant increase in BMD over time for LS (p < 0.001). We found no difference between groups in fracture frequency in the 10-year cohort, neither with modified intention-to-treat (mITT) analysis nor per protocol analysis. Because BMD is only a surrogate endpoint of bone health and PTX did not reduce fracture risk, observation could be considered a safe option for many patients with mild PHPT regarding bone health in a 10-year perspective. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Falsely Elevated Estradiol Results in a 62-Year-Old Male Patient.

Falsely increased estradiol levels can lead to unnecessary tests and therapeutic interventions. Here, we present a case of a 62-year-old man with falsely elevated estradiol, which led to subsequent follow-up testing and prescriptions. Alternative immunoassay testing, in conjunction with Scantibodies' blocking reagents, polyethylene glycol precipitation, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry confirmation demonstrated that the falsely elevated estradiol was due to the presence of macro-estradiol. This report emphasizes the importance of recognizing analytical interferences in immunoassays to appropriately manage subsequent testing and patient care.

Mortality and Morbidity in Mild Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Results From a 10-Year Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Parathyroidectomy Versus Observation.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder associated with increased risk for fractures, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and cancer and increased mortality. In mild PHPT with modest hypercalcemia and without known morbidities, parathyroidectomy (PTX) is debated because no long-term randomized trials have been performed. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of PTX on mild PHPT with regard to mortality (primary end point) and key morbidities (secondary end point). DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00522028). SETTING: Eight Scandinavian referral centers. PATIENTS: From 1998 to 2005, 191 patients with mild PHPT were included. INTERVENTION: Ninety-five patients were randomly assigned to PTX, and 96 were assigned to observation without intervention (OBS). MEASUREMENTS: Date and causes of death were obtained from the Swedish and Norwegian Cause of Death Registries 10 years after randomization and after an extended observation period lasting until 2018. Morbidity events were prospectively registered annually. RESULTS: After 10 years, 15 patients had died (8 in the PTX group and 7 in the OBS group). Within the extended observation period, 44 deaths occurred, which were evenly distributed between groups (24 in the PTX group and 20 in the OBS group). A total of 101 morbidity events (cardiovascular events, cerebrovascular events, cancer, peripheral fractures, and renal stones) were also similarly distributed between groups (52 in the PTX group and 49 in the OBS group). During the study, a total of 16 vertebral fractures occurred in 14 patients (7 in each group). LIMITATION: During the study period, 23 patients in the PTX group and 27 in the OBS group withdrew. CONCLUSION: Parathyroidectomy does not appear to reduce morbidity or mortality in mild PHPT. Thus, no evidence of adverse effects of observation was seen for at least a decade with respect to mortality, fractures, cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, or renal morbidities. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Swedish government, Norwegian Research Council, and South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority.

Effects of Parathyroidectomy on Quality of Life: 10 Years of Data From a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial on Primary Hyperparathyroidism (the SIPH-Study).

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) was previously considered a disease presenting with multiorgan involvement and a wide range of symptoms. Today, the disease presents with no symptoms or mild symptomatology in most patients. Data regarding nonspecific symptoms such as pain, fatigue, memory loss, depression, and other neuropsychiatric signs have been ambiguous, and results from prospective long-term randomized control trials are lacking. The Scandinavian Investigation on Primary Hyperparathyroidism (SIPH) is a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 10-year follow up, comparing parathyroidectomy (PTX) to observation without any treatment (OBS). From 1998 to 2005, 191 patients with mild PHPT were included from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. A total of 95 patients were randomized to PTX and 96 to OBS. The generic Short Form-36 survey (SF-36) and the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) were studied at baseline, 2, 5, and 10 years after randomization. After 10 years, the PTX group scored significantly better on vitality (PTX 65.1 ± 20.2 versus OBS 57.4 ± 22.7; p = .017) compared to the OBS group in SF-36. We found no differences between the groups in the physical subscales. The OBS group had no significant change in any of the SF-36 scores throughout the study. The CPRS showed an improvement of symptoms in both groups for single items and sum scores after 10 years compared to baseline. There were, however, no significant differences between the two groups in the CPRS data. The results of this large and long-term RCT indicate improvement in some of the mental domains of SF-36 following PTX. However, the treatment effects between the groups were subtle with uncertain clinical significance. The observation group had stable SF-36 values and improvement in CPRS symptom-scores. Thus, in considering only quality of life (QoL) and in the absence of declines in renal and skeletal parameters, it may be safe to observe patients with mild PHPT for a decade. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

The effect of surgery on fat mass, lipid and glucose metabolism in mild primary hyperparathyroidism

Context: Mild primary hyperparathyroidism has been associated with increased body fat mass and unfavorable cardiovascular risk factors. Objective: To assess the effect of parathyroidectomy on fat mass, glucose and lipid metabolism. Design, patients, interventions, main outcome measures: 119 patients previously randomized to observation (OBS; n = 58) or parathyroidectomy (PTX; n = 61) within the Scandinavian Investigation of Primary Hyperparathyroidism (SIPH) trial, an open randomized multicenter study, were included. Main outcome measures for this study were the differences in fat mass, markers for lipid and glucose metabolism between OBS and PTX 5 years after randomization. Results: In the OBS group, total cholesterol (Total-C) decreased from mean 5.9 (±1.1) to 5.6 (±1.0) mmol/L (P = 0.037) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased from 3.7 (±1.0) to 3.3 (±0.9) mmol/L (P = 0.010). In the PTX group, the Total-C and LDL-C remained unchanged resulting in a significant between-group difference over time (P = 0.013 and P = 0.026, respectively). This difference was driven by patients who started with lipid-lowering medication during the study period (OBS: 5; PTX: 1). There was an increase in trunk fat mass in the OBS group, but no between-group differences over time. Mean 25(OH) vitamin D increased in the PTX group (P < 0.001), but did not change in the OBS group. No difference in parameters of glucose metabolism was detected. Conclusion: In mild PHPT, the measured metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors were not modified by PTX. Observation seems safe and cardiovascular risk reduction should not be regarded as a separate indication for parathyroidectomy based on the results from this study.

Effect of Surgery Versus Observation: Skeletal 5-Year Outcomes in a Randomized Trial of Patients With Primary HPT (the SIPH Study).

Mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is known to affect the skeleton, even though patients usually are asymptomatic. Treatment strategies have been widely discussed. However, long-term randomized studies comparing parathyroidectomy to observation are lacking. The objective was to study the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTX) compared with observation (OBS) on bone mineral density (BMD) in g/cm2 and T-scores and on biochemical markers of bone turnover (P1NP and CTX-1) in a prospective randomized controlled study of patients with mild PHPT after 5 years of follow-up. Of 191 patients with mild PHPT randomized to either PTX or OBS, 145 patients remained for analysis after 5 years (110 with validated DXA scans). A significant decrease in P1NP (p < 0.001) and CTX-1 (p < 0.001) was found in the PTX group only. A significant positive treatment effect of surgery compared with observation on BMD (g/cm2 ) was found for the lumbar spine (LS) (p = 0.011), the femoral neck (FN) (p < 0.001), the ultradistal radius (UDR) (p = 0.042), and for the total body (TB) (p < 0.001) but not for the radius 33% (Rad33), where BMD decreased significantly also in the PTX group (p = 0.012). However, compared with baseline values, there was no significant BMD increase in the PTX group, except for the lumbar spine. In the OBS group, there was a significant decrease in BMD (g/cm2 ) for all compartments (FN, p < 0.001; Rad33, p = 0.001; UDR, p = 0.006; TB, p < 0.001) with the exception of the LS, where BMD was stable. In conclusion, parathyroidectomy improves BMD and observation leads to a small but statistically significant decrease in BMD after 5 years. Thus, bone health appears to be a clinical concern with long-term observation in patients with mild PHPT. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Low concentrations of serum testosterone predict acute myocardial infarction in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between endogenous testosterone concentrations and the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in men and women with and without type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The study comprised 1109 subjects ≥40 years of age (mean age 62 ± 12 years) participating in a baseline survey in Sweden in 1993-94. Information about smoking habits and physical activity was obtained using validated questionnaires. Serum concentrations of testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were obtained using radioimmunoassay. Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes was based on WHO's 1985 criteria. Individual patient information on incident AMI was ascertained by record linkage with national inpatient and mortality registers from baseline through 2011. RESULTS: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes at baseline was 10.0% in men and 7.5% in women. During a mean follow-up of 14.1 years (±5.3), there were 74 events of AMI in men and 58 in women. In age-adjusted Cox models, a significant inverse association between concentrations of testosterone and AMI-morbidity was found in men with type 2 diabetes (HR = 0.86 CI (0.75-0.98)). In a final model also including waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and active smoking, the association still remained statistically significant (HR = 0.754 CI (0.61-0.92)). CONCLUSION: Low concentrations of testosterone predicted AMI in men with type 2 diabetes independent of other risk factors. Trials with testosterone investigating the effect regarding cardiovascular outcome are still lacking. Future trials in this field should take into account a modification effect of diabetes.

Effects of parathyroidectomy versus observation on the development of vertebral fractures in mild primary hyperparathyroidism.

CONTEXT: Mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common disease especially in middle-aged and elderly women. The diagnosis is frequently made incidentally and treatment strategies are widely discussed. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTX) compared with observation (OBS) on biochemistry, safety, bone mineral density (BMD), and new fractures. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized controlled study (SIPH study), with a 5-year follow-up. SETTING: The study was conducted at multicenter, tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS: Of 191 randomized patients with mild PHPT, biochemical data were available for 145 patients after 5 years, with a mean age at inclusion of 62.8 years (OBS group, 9 males) and 62.1 years (PTX group, 10 males). INTERVENTION: Parathyroidectomy vs observation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Biochemistry, BMD, and new radiographic vertebral fractures. RESULTS: Serum-calcium and PTH-levels normalized after surgery and did not deteriorate by observation. BMD Z-scores were normal at inclusion in the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN). For LS, BMD Z-scores were stable for 5 years with observation, but decreased in FN (P < .02). After surgery, BMD Z-scores increased significantly in both compartments (P < .02 for both), with a highly significant treatment effect of surgery compared to observation (P < .001). During follow-up, five new clinically unrecognized vertebral fractures were found in 5 females, all in the OBS group (P = .058). CONCLUSION: Even though new vertebral fractures occurred only in the observation group, the frequency was not significantly different from the surgery group. Longer follow-up is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn about the long-term safety of observation, as opposed to surgery.

Ten-year mortality after severe traumatic brain injury in western Sweden: a case control study.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Life expectancy may be substantially reduced for many years after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study investigated the patterns of the short- and long-term all-cause mortality and the rates of primary causes of death in patients with severe TBI. SUBJECTS: This study was of 166 consecutive patients (6-82 years) with severe TBI admitted to Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, from 1999-2002. The control group consisted of 809 subjects from the community, matched to the TBI cohort for age, gender and postcode area at the time of the injury. METHODS: Survival outcome and cause of death were ascertained 10 years after the injury from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare register. The cumulative death rates and causes of death in cases and controls were compared. RESULTS: The risk of death was increased for at least 10 years after severe TBI. The distribution of the causes of deaths differed between cases and controls in the first year of follow-up, but not between 1-year survivors and controls. CONCLUSION: Further research will be required to determine how to improve treatment so as to lower late mortality among survivors of severe TBI.

The incidence rate of pituitary adenomas in western Sweden for the period 2001-2011.

OBJECTIVE: The number of studies on the incidence of pituitary adenomas (PAs) is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the standardised incidence rate (SIR) of PAs in western Sweden. DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from adult patients diagnosed with PAs in 2001-2011, living in the Västra Götaland County, were collected from the Swedish Pituitary Registry (SPR). In addition, medical records on all patients diagnosed with PAs at the six hospitals in the region were reviewed. In total, 592 patients were included in the study.Age-SIR, given as rate/100 000 inhabitants (95% CI), was calculated using the WHO 2000 standard population as a reference. RESULTS: The total SIR for PAs was 3.9/100 000 (3.6-4.3); 3.3/100 000 (2.9-3.7) for men and 4.7/100 000 (4.1-5.3) for women. In men, SIR increased with age, while in women SIR peaked at 25-34 years, mainly due to prolactinomas. Non-functioning PA (NFPA) was the most common PA (54%, 1.8/100 000 (1.6-2.0)) followed by prolactinomas (32%, 1.6/100 000 (1.3-1.9)), acromegaly (9%, 0.35/100 000 (0.25-0.45)), Cushing's disease (4%, 0.18/100 000 (0.11-0.25)) and TSH-producing PA (0.7%, 0.03/100 000 (0.00-0.05)). The proportion of macroadenomas for NFPA was 82%, prolactinomas 37%, GH-producing PA 77%, ACTH-producing PA 28% and TSH-producing PA 100%. The lifetime risk for PAs was 0.27% (0.24-0.31) in men and 0.29% (0.26-0.33) in women. CONCLUSION: This study provides a reliable estimate on the overall incidence of PAs and confirms an increased incidence of PAs compared with studies conducted in the pre-magnetic resonance imaging era. The lower proportion of prolactinomas compared with previous studies is probably explained by the different criteria used.

Inverse association between serum insulin and sex hormone-binding globulin in a population survey in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). While the reason is not fully understood, we aimed to study the association between serum insulin and levels of SHBG in a random population. DESIGN AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2005, a random sample of 2816 participants aged 30-74 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional survey in the South-west of Sweden. Fasting blood samples were collected and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted in all subjects without known diabetes. Diabetes mellitus was defined according to criteria from WHO, and clinical characteristics were used to discriminate between type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Analyses of SHBG were successful in 2782 participants (98%), who thus constituted the current study population. RESULTS: WE FOUND SIGNIFICANT INVERSE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LEVELS OF SHBG AND FASTING SERUM INSULIN IN BOTH GENDERS (MEN: ß=-0.090, P=0.001; women: ß=-0.197, P<0.001), which was independent of differences in age and BMI. The associations remained when also differences in fasting plasma glucose were accounted for (men: ß=-0.062, P=0.022; women: ß=-0.176, P≤0.001). Subjects with T1D exhibited higher levels of SHBG than both T2D (men: δ=15.9 nmol/l, P<0.001; women: δ=71.1 nmol/l, P<0.001) and non-diabetic subjects (men: δ=15.1 nmol/l, P<0.001; women: δ=72.9 nmol/l, P<0.001) independent of age, BMI and fasting glucose levels. CONCLUSION: These findings are consistent with high levels of SHBG in T1D, and correspondingly low levels in T2D subjects, suggesting an inhibitory effect of insulin on the SHBG production in the liver.

Low sex hormone-binding globulin is associated with hypertension: a cross-sectional study in a Swedish population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and hypertension in a Swedish population. METHODS: The study is based on a random sample of a Swedish population of men and women aged 30-74 years (n=2,816). Total testosterone, oestradiol and SHBG were measured in 2,782 participants. Free androgen index was then calculated according to the formula FAI=100 × (Total testosterone)/SHBG. Hypertension was diagnosed according to JNC7. RESULTS: In men, but not in women, significant association between SHBG and both diastolic (diastolic blood pressure: ß=-0.143 p<0.001) and systolic blood pressure (systolic blood pressure ß=-0.114 p<0.001) was found. The association was still significant after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (diastolic blood pressure: ß=-0.113 p<0.001; systolic blood pressure ß=-0.093 p=0.001). An inverse association was observed between SHBG and hypertension in both men (B=-0.024 p<0.001) and women (B=-0.022 p<0.001). The association was still significant in women older than 50 years after adjustments for age, BMI, physical activity, CRP and alcohol consumption (B=-0.014, p=0.008). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these results show a strong association between SHBG and blood pressure independent of major determinants of high blood pressure. This association might be addressed to direct effects of SHBG in endothelial cells through the receptor for SHBG. If this is confirmed by other observational and experimental studies, it might become a new field for the development of therapies for lowering blood pressure.

Psychosocial health and levels of employment in 851 hypopituitary Swedish patients on long-term GH therapy.

CONTEXT: The psychosocial health and working capacity in hypopituitary patients receiving long-term growth hormone (GH) therapy are unknown. OBJECTIVE: Psychosocial health and levels of employment were compared between GH deficient (GHD) patients on long-term replacement and the general population. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: In a Swedish nationwide study, 851 GHD patients [101 childhood onset (CO) and 750 adult onset (AO)] and 2622 population controls answered a questionnaire regarding current living, employment and educational level, alcohol consumption and smoking habits. The median time on GH therapy for both men and women with CO GHD was 9 years and for AO GHD 6 years, respectively. RESULTS: As compared to the controls, the GHD patients were less often working full time, more often on sick leave/disability pension, and to a larger extent alcohol abstainers and never smokers (all; P<0.05). Predominantly CO GHD women and men, but to some extent also AO GHD women and men, lived less frequently with a partner and more often with their parents. Particularly AO GHD craniopharyngioma women used more antidepressants, while AO GHD men with a craniopharyngioma used more analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: A working capacity to the level of the general population was not achieved among hypopituitary patients, although receiving long-term GH therapy. Patients were less likely to use alcohol and tobacco. The CO GHD population lived a less independent life.

Pituitary function and functional outcome in adults after severe traumatic brain injury: the long-term perspective.

Post-traumatic hypopituitarism (PTHP) has been linked to disability and decreased quality of life. However, no studies have addressed the long-term consequences of PTHP in adults with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) only. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between pituitary function, quality of life, and functioning in 51 patients (16-65 years of age) with severe TBI who were admitted to Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg from 1999 to 2002. The patients were assessed once, 2-10 years after trauma. Data from the time of injury were collected retrospectively to adjust for injury severity. Outcome measures included hormonal testing, the Short Form-36 Health Survey, the Glasgow outcome scale-extended, and a self-report questionnaire specifically designed for this study and based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Of 51 patients, 14 (27.5%) presented with PTHP, and 11 (21.6%) had isolated growth hormone deficiency. Patients with PTHP were more often overweight at follow-up (p=0.01); the higher body mass index was partially explained by PTHP (R2 change=0.07, p=0.001). Otherwise no significant correlation was found among PTHP, functioning, or patient-reported quality of life. This study-which is unique in the homogeneity of the patients, the long follow-up time, and the use of injury severity as an outcome predictor-did not confirm results from previous studies linking PTHP to a worse outcome. Therefore, screening for PTHP might be restricted to specific subgroups such as overweight patients, indicating growth hormone deficiency.

Effect of surgery on cardiac structure and function in mild primary hyperparathyroidism.

CONTEXT: The cardiovascular (CV) risk profile is worsened in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), and CV mortality is related to serum calcium levels. It is unknown whether CV mortality is increased in the most common form of PHPT and whether the increased CV risk is reversible after surgery. OBJECTIVE: To investigate reversibility of echocardiographic variables in patients with mild PHPT who were randomized to observation without surgery or operation, and followed for 2 years. DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS: Forty-nine patients (mean age 63 ± 7 years, 8 men) who had performed the 2-year visit in a randomized study on mild PHPT (serum calcium at baseline 2·65 ± 0·09 mm) (observation) vs 2·67 ± 0·06 mm (surgery) and where echocardiography had been performed, participated in the study. RESULTS: Calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were normalized following surgery and were stable in the observation group. PTH levels at baseline were highly correlated with ventricular mass. Detailed echocardiography revealed a minor and borderline significant treatment effect of surgery on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) compared to observation (P = 0·066) and a significant 11% reduction in diastolic dimension of the interventricular septum (IVSd-mean) in the surgery group (P<0·01), with no alterations in the observation group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on detailed echocardiographic measures over a 2-year observation period, we found only minor differences between the two groups. However, the potential treatment effect on LVMI and the within-group differences in IVSd-mean suggest that longer follow-up may yield larger and clinically important differences.

The psychology behind doping in sport.

Drugs and methods to improve physical performance among athletes have been used since the beginning of sport history, but the use of performance enhancing drugs has not always been regarded as cheating. In short, the motives for doping are improving and maintaining physical functioning, coping with the social/psychological pressures and striving for social and psychological goals, including economic benefits. Factors such as, "doping dilemma", "win at all costs", cost versus benefit, and the specificity of some specific doping agents, also play major roles. It seems that action on the athletes' attitude about the achievement of physical improvement and creating effective methods to reveal the drug abuse, are two main ways in winning the struggle against doping.