RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Glucocorticoid prescribing habits of sports medicine physicians working in high-performance sport: a 30-nation survey
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 402
OP 407
DO 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101175
VO 54
IS 7
A1 Hughes, David
A1 Vlahovich, Nicole
A1 Welvaert, Marijke
A1 Tee, Nicolin
A1 Harcourt, Peter
A1 White, Susan
A1 Vernec, Alan
A1 Fitch, Ken
A1 Waddington, Gordon
YR 2020
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/7/402.abstract
AB Objectives Glucocorticoids are commonly prescribed in medicine. When administered via certain routes, glucocorticoids are prohibited for incompetition use by WADA. The glucocorticoid prescribing habits of sports medicine doctors have not been reported.Methods An online survey was distributed internationally to physicians working in high-performance sports. The survey queried the doctors about their use of glucocorticoids with athletes and their understanding of WADA’s regulations regarding glucocorticoid use in competition.Results 603 sports medicine doctors from 30 different countries participated. The majority (>85%) routinely injected glucocorticoids and/or prescribed glucocorticoids by other routes. There were substantial differences in the common routes of injection as well as types of glucocorticoid used among the physicians from various countries. A relatively small percentage of sports doctors (<25%) accurately identified which routes of glucocorticoid administration are prohibited in competition by WADA. There was a great variation in how long before competition the use of glucocorticoids would cause the doctor to consider applying for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE). A better understanding of the clearance rates of glucocorticoids from athletes’ bodies would greatly aid sports medicine doctors’ decisions on how and when to apply for a TUE. A small number of doctors had observed side effects of glucocorticoid administration, with the majority of side effects being minor in nature.Conclusion Glucocorticoids are widely prescribed by sports physicians. There is a need to better educate sports physicians on the current WADA regulations in relation to glucocorticoid administration.