Skip to main content

Table 4 Characteristics of 19 published studies presenting qualitative and quantitative data of fake AAS on the black-market

From: Fake anabolic androgenic steroids on the black market – a systematic review and meta-analysis on qualitative and quantitative analytical results found within the literature

Characteristic

 

Year of publication (mean)

2017 (1997 to 2021)

 • Published within 5 years

• 10 (53%)

 • Published within 10 years

• 15 (79%)

Sample information

 • No. of samples included (mean; median)

• 285; 42.0

 • Range of samples included (min; max)

• 8; 2818

 • Cumulative sample size

• 5,413

Study design

 • Retrospective database analysis

• 1 (5%)

 • Nonclinical laboratory studies

• 18 (95%)

No. of included studies presenting

 • Anabolic agents (S1)

• 17 (89%)

 • Mixed samples

• 2 (11%)

No. of WHO regions and countries included

WHO Region of the Americas (AMR)

7 (37%)

 • Brazil

• 7 (100%)

European Region (EUR)

12 (63%)

 • Switzerland

• 1 (8.3%)

 • France

• 1 (8.3%)

 • Italy

• 2 (16.7%)

 • Germany

• 3 (25%)

 • United Kingdom

• 1 (8.3%)

 • Czech Republic/Slovakia

• 2 (16.7%)

 • Belgium

• 1 (8.3%)

 • Austria

• 1 (8.3%)

Sample collection methods

 • Seized compounds by authorities

• 14 (74%)

 • Bought directly from the black market

• 4 (21%)

 • Received directly from gyms and users

• 1 (5%)

Articles presenting outcomes

Counterfeit substances

18 (95%)

 • Inert substances

• 10 (56%)

 • Substituted substances

• 10 (56%)

 • Adulterated substances

• 9 (50%)

Substandard substances

8 (41%)

 • Over-concentrated

• 4 (50%)

 • Under-concentrated

• 4 (50%)

Original substances

 • Qualitative analysis only

• 18 (95%)

 • Qualitative and quantitative analysis

• 7 (37%)