Background

Performance-enhancing drug (PED) use has been reported among various populations. Despite anecdotal reports of stimulant use among video gamers, only limited data is known regarding overall PED use. The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) prevalence of PED use and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among adult gamers, and 2) if factors could place an individual at higher risk for IGD.

Materials and methods

Between May–July 2019, adult gamers were recruited from 16 Internet discussion boards or social forums and three in-person video game tournaments. The Video Gamer 500 was a 40-item Internet-based survey assessing demographics, video gaming behaviors/patterns, PED use, psychiatric diagnoses, and IGD. The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) questionnaire screened for IGD.

Results

A total of 526 respondents completed the survey with approximately 75% from the United States. Approximately two out of five gamers (42.6%) used a PED, averaging 1.2 PEDs. The most commonly reported PEDs were caffeine drinks (33.8%) and energy drinks (19.2%). Prescription drugs were used by 6.1% of gamers to enhance performance; 4.9% used a prescription stimulant. IGD criteria were met by 2.3% of gamers and associated factors included a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.0–12.5) or use of prescription PEDs (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.3–23.1).

Conclusion

PEDs are commonly used by video gamers. Factors associated with IGD include an ADHD diagnosis and prescription drug PED use.

中文翻译：

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视频游戏玩家 500：成人视频游戏玩家中提高性能的药物使用和网络游戏障碍

背景

已在不同人群中报告了性能增强药物 (PED) 的使用。尽管有关于视频游戏玩家使用兴奋剂的传闻，但关于 PED 使用的整体数据有限。本研究的目的是确定：1​​) 成年游戏玩家中 PED 使用和网络游戏障碍 (IGD) 的流行率，以及 2) 是否有因素可能使个人处于更高的 IGD 风险中。

材料和方法

2019 年 5 月至 7 月期间，从 16 个互联网讨论区或社交论坛和 3 个面对面的电子游戏锦标赛招募了成年游戏玩家。Video Gamer 500 是一项基于互联网的 40 项调查，评估人口统计、视频游戏行为/模式、PED 使用、精神病学诊断和 IGD。互联网游戏障碍量表 - 简表 (IGDS9-SF) 问卷针对 IGD 进行了筛选。

结果

共有 526 名受访者完成了调查，其中约 75% 来自美国。大约五分之二的游戏玩家 (42.6%) 使用 PED，平均为 1.2 PED。最常报告的 PED 是咖啡因饮料 (33.8%) 和能量饮料 (19.2%)。6.1% 的游戏玩家使用处方药来提高成绩；4.9% 使用处方兴奋剂。2.3% 的游戏玩家符合 IGD 标准，相关因素包括诊断为注意力缺陷/多动障碍 (ADHD)（OR 3.6，95% CI 1.0–12.5）或使用处方 PED（OR 5.5，95% CI 1.3– 23.1)。

结论

PED 通常被视频游戏玩家使用。与 IGD 相关的因素包括 ADHD 诊断和处方药 PED 使用。