Laure P
Presse Med. 2000;29(24):1365-72.
Whatever method is used (observation, interviews, questionnaire, laboratory tests), it is difficult to collect epidemiological data on doping. Particularly difficult problems are related to the definitions of sports players and the drugs involved as well as the often illicit nature of drug use.
The prevalence of doping in children and adolescents participating in sports is estimated at 3% to 5% with higher percentages in boys, older adolescents and those playing at a competition level. Use of anabolic steroids, as early as 8 years of age, has increased since 1990, especially in girls. All studies have emphasized how easy it is for adolescents to procure any prohibited drug. In adults participating in amateur sports, the prevalence of doping would be 5% to 15%. All sports are involved with higher prevalence in men, age ranges 20-25 years and 35-39 years, and competitive level players. The main drugs used are stimulants, narcotics, corticosteroids and anabolic steroids. Combination of at least 2 drugs is frequent with an increase of mean daily dose over the last 15 years. According to users, the drugs are obtained with a medical prescription, on the underground market, or from other participants. Few data are available on doping outside sports activities. In the French department Meurthe-et-Moselle, 15% of the inhabitants use drugs to improve their occupational performance.
Doping is more widespread than would be expected from antidoping control data. Other studies are needed to acquire more precise epidemiological data.
无论采用何种方法（观察、访谈、问卷调查、实验室检测），收集有关使用兴奋剂的流行病学数据都很困难。特别棘手的问题涉及运动员的定义、所涉药物以及药物使用往往具有的非法性质。
参加体育运动的儿童和青少年中使用兴奋剂的流行率估计为3%至5%，男孩、年龄较大的青少年以及参加比赛级别的青少年比例更高。自1990年以来，早在8岁就开始使用合成代谢类固醇的情况有所增加，尤其是在女孩中。所有研究都强调青少年获取任何违禁药物是多么容易。在参加业余体育运动的成年人中，使用兴奋剂的流行率为5%至15%。所有运动项目都有涉及，男性、年龄在20 - 25岁和35 - 39岁的人群以及参加比赛级别的运动员中流行率更高。主要使用的药物有兴奋剂、麻醉品、皮质类固醇和合成代谢类固醇。至少两种药物联用的情况很常见，且在过去15年中平均每日剂量有所增加。据使用者称，这些药物是通过医生处方、地下市场或从其他参与者处获得的。关于体育活动之外使用兴奋剂的数据很少。在法国默尔特-摩泽尔省，15%的居民使用药物来提高工作表现。
使用兴奋剂的情况比反兴奋剂控制数据所显示的更为普遍。需要开展其他研究以获取更精确的流行病学数据。
