Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41125667›Full record

SynthesisScientific reports2025

Effects of growth hormone and anabolic steroids, in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chris G H Veenker, Beynur B Redzhebov, Sanne E Hoeks, Lucas T van Eijk, Michel M R F Struys, Olivier de Hon, Nico L U van Meeteren, Gertrude J Nieuwenhuijs-Moeke

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Chris G H Veenker *Department of Anesthesiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, 9713 GZ, The Netherlands. c.g.h.veenker@umcg.nl.
Beynur B Redzhebov *Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Dr Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands.
Sanne E HoeksDepartment of Anesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Dr Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands.
Lucas T van EijkDepartment of Anesthesiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands.
Michel M R F StruysDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, 9713 GZ, The Netherlands.
Olivier de HonDoping Authority Netherlands, Department of Intelligence & Investigations, Barbizonlaan 55, Capelle aan den IJssel, 2908 ME, The Netherlands.
Nico L U van MeeterenDepartment of Anesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Dr Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands.
Gertrude J Nieuwenhuijs-MoekeDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, 9713 GZ, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study aimed to review the effects of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), such as anabolic steroids, on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing any of the known PEDs with placebo during intensive-care unit (ICU) admission was performed, excluding erythropoietin stimulating agents. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, while outcomes from non-eligible studies for meta-analysis were reported separately. Risk of bias was assessed through the cochrane risk of bias (ROB) 2 tool. Twenty-three studies were included. Only studies using growth hormone, nandrolone, and oxandrolone were found. Growth hormone improved nitrogen balance (standardized mean difference = 1.4 g, 95% confidence interval 0.47-2.32). While mortality was unaffected, it caused increased ICU and hospital stay. A substantial heterogeneity and a concerning risk of bias were present among the studies. PEDs showed no survival benefit but may improve nitrogen balance. A possible subgroup that could benefit from growth hormone or anabolic steroids are critically ill patients who have surpassed the acute inflammatory phase of critical illness. Further research into various aspects of PEDs is needed within the context of current clinical practices.

Indexed as

Anabolic AgentsCritical IllnessGrowth HormoneAnabolic Androgenic SteroidsHumansIntensive Care UnitsLength of StayOxandroloneRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicAnabolic AgentsAnabolic Androgenic SteroidsGrowth HormoneOxandroloneAnabolic steroidsCritical-illnessGrowth hormone

Identifiers

PMID41125667
PMCPMC12546915

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.