Reply: the difference in the flow-mediated response between steroid users and nonusers

We appreciate the careful reading that Greg Atkinson gave our article.^1,2 According to his letter we identify three main points to be clarified. In the statistics description, there is a typographical error. The correct wording to describe the data is mean ± standard error, rather than mean ± standard deviation as previously reported. Additionally, we had typed different results for the flow-mediated dilation (FMD). In this regard, the data are correct; however, the numbers in the text should be corrected (mean ± standard error 7.4 ± 1.6% and 2.2 ± 1.5%, nonusers and users, respectively).

The second issue raised relates to the importance of baseline arterial diameter. We do recognize that it may affect FMD response; nevertheless, this did not come up in our study. As described in the methods section, all individuals (anabolic steroid-users as well as nonusers) were engaged in weightlifting and had similar demographical characteristics, except for bodyweight. More important, baseline arterial diameter did not differ between the groups (mean ± standard deviation 4.1 ± 0.5 mm vs. 4.4 ± 0.7 mm, nonusers vs. users, respectively).

Finally, we thank Dr. Atkinson’s suggestion, but at the time the study was analysed and written, an allometric approach was not yet available.

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