Notice of Retraction: Gawash A, et al. Association of Body Dysmorphic–Induced Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use With Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2023;25(5):23r03532.

To the Editor: We, the authors of the article titled “Association of Body Dysmorphic–Induced Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use With Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review,”¹ are writing to formally request the retraction of this article. After thorough reassessment and discussion, we have determined that the article is seriously flawed, and its conclusions and results are not reliable. The specific issues necessitating this retraction are as follows:

Generalization errors: The study erroneously generalizes findings to both men and women, despite including several studies that exclusively focused on male participants. This undermines the reliability of the conclusions and misrepresents the scope of the research.

Population-specific findings misapplied: A significant number of the studies referenced in the article pertain to anabolic-androgenic steroid users and bodybuilders. These populations are not representative of the general public, yet the article’s conclusions extend these findings beyond the studied groups without appropriate qualifiers.

Misinterpretation of data: The claims regarding associations such as those between a greater number of sexual partners, aging, and impulsivity with muscle dysmorphia are not adequately supported by the broader context of the literature. This misinterpretation risks disseminating inaccurate conclusions to readers.

Methodological oversights: Flaws in the selection criteria for included studies have led to the incorporation of literature that does not align with the stated objectives of the article. This compromises the validity of the results and interpretations presented.

 Given the severity of these issues, we believe that retracting the article is the most ethical course of action to uphold the integrity of the scientific record. We sincerely regret these errors and any confusion the article may have caused among readers or researchers. This decision was made unanimously by all coauthors.

Article Information

Published Online: December 10, 2024.
https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.24lr03900
© 2024 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.
Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2024;26(6):24lr03900
Author Affiliations: Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey (Gawash, Al-Shehab, Lo); American Preventive Screening and Education Association, Stratford, New Jersey (Gawash, Zia, Al-Shehab, Lo); School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey (Lo).
Corresponding Author: Ahmed Gawash, BS, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, 40 East Laurel Rd, Stratford, NJ 08084 ([email protected]).