Gina Abu Faraj

Mrs. Gina Abu Faraj


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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2 October 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MSMonika Skrzypiec-Spring
Monika Skrzypiec-Spring
JRJulia Rozmus
Julia Rozmus
GFGina Abu Faraj
Gina Abu Faraj
KBKinga Patrycja Brawańska-Maśluch
Kinga Patrycja Brawańska-Maśluch
KKKrzysztof Kujawa
Krzysztof Kujawa
Adam SzelągAdam Szeląg
Adam Szeląg
Background/Objectives: Illegal anabolic-androgenic steroids are a significant lifestyle factor in infertility. The aim of our study was to analyze clinical cases resulting from their use for their frequency, geographical location, dynamics, substances used, the age and gender of the users, and the types of clinical complications. Methods: Publications were obtained by searching PubMed for the following terms: ‘anabolic-androgenic steroids’ and ‘clinical case’. Publications from 1973 to 2022 were qualified for the analysis. Results: An increasing trend in the number of clinical cases resulting from the use of steroids, as well as the number of substances used simultaneously, was observed. The substances changed over the decades, but in the last 20 years, testosterone, nandrolone, stanozolol, methandienone, trenbolone, and methenolone have predominated. Cardiological side effects predominated in each period, with a continuous increase in their occurrence. The most common among these were myocardial infarctions and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The next most numerous adverse events involved psychiatric, endocrinological, hepatic, and oncological problems. We demonstrated a possible relationship between the use of individual steroids and medical issues; the strongest associations were between testosterone and endocrine complications, and methylstenbolone and hepatic complications. Conclusions: There has been an increasing trend in case reports describing serious health problems associated with the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids, a tendency to use several substances simultaneously, and a preferential use of substances with a high potential of causing serious side effects. These phenomena mainly concern men, with an average age of 30, and the health problems that dominate in clinical case reports—including serious cardiological, psychiatric, endocrinological, hepatic, and oncological diseases—may potentially affect reproductive health and pose a challenge for reproductive medicine.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MSMonika Skrzypiec-Spring
Monika Skrzypiec-Spring
APAndrzej Pokrywka
Andrzej Pokrywka
WBWojciech Bombała
Wojciech Bombała
DBDaria Berezovska
Daria Berezovska
JRJulia Rozmus
Julia Rozmus
Adam SzelągAdam Szeląg
Adam Szeląg
Background: One factor that may negatively impact male reproductive health is the illegal use of testosterone and anabolic–androgenic steroids. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of testosterone use in recreational athletes, as well as factors associated with its use, and to determine the profile of a person using testosterone. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data from an anonymous, online questionnaire of men recruited from gyms, randomly selected in Wrocław, Poland, has been performed. The minimal sample size was evaluated with the univariate logistic regression model. The association between testosterone use and other factors was also evaluated with the univariate logistic regression model. Results: A total of 35% of respondents used testosterone. The main purposes of testosterone use were the improvement of training effects and the improvement of body shape. The respondents most likely to use testosterone and other anabolic–androgenic steroids were men aged 26–35, whose earnings were at the level of the middle class or higher, who were married, had children, had training experience of at least 6 months, exercised at least once a week, took part in weightlifting competitions, were managers in a corporation or enterprise, or were self-employed. Most of the people using testosterone had self-treated side effects. Conclusions: The profile of the person most likely to use testosterone corresponds to the characteristics of men in optimal socio-demographic conditions for reproduction. These results indicate that this is a significant social problem that may impact male reproductive health.