Doctor Says Findings Were Misinterpreted

Contrary to a news-service report, a leading sports medicine doctor said Wednesday he does not have conclusive evidence that six athletes died within the last year from the abuse of anabolic steroids.

“There is no way to show at this time that steroids definitely were the cause of all the deaths,” said Dr. Bob Goldman, director of sports medicine research for Chicago Osteopathic Medical Center. “I have my suspicions, but I can’t back up a statement like that with my research at this point.”

Anabolic steroids, synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone, are believed by some athletes to build muscle and improve strength.

According to a United Press International report, Goldman said that anabolic steroids had caused the deaths of two athletes in New York of heart and immune-system failure, three in Pennsylvania of heart disease and another in Pennsylvania of liver cancer.

But in a subsequent interview with The Times, Goldman said that UPI had misinterpreted his findings.

He said only the liver cancer death last year of a 26-year-old Pennsylvania bodybuilder, Daniel Baroudi, could be directly linked to the abuse of anabolic steroids.

That was the first reported case of an otherwise healthy athlete dying because of his use of steroids.

Last week, Goldman reported that another athlete, a California weightlifter, contracted liver cancer after extensive use of steroids but has recovered since surgery.

Goldman would not release the athlete’s name because of possible litigation against the doctor who had supplied the athlete with the steroids.

“I’m satisfied through my research that these athletes would not have had liver tumors if they had not used steroids,” Goldman said. “I am not at all reluctant to say that steroids cause liver damage.

“But I have to examine further these cases of cardiovascular disease. I suspect that steroids might have had something to do with them, but it’s not clear cut. My research won’t be completed for another three months.”

Of the UPI report, Goldman said: “I hope this hasn’t damaged my credibility.”

Goldman became known last year as one of the leading authorities on anabolic steroids and their side effects. He has written a book, “Death in the Locker Room--Steroids and Sports.”