Creatine monohydrate use is prospectively associated with muscle dysmorphia symptomatology

This study aimed to determine the prospective association between creatine monohydrate use and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology among adolescents and young adults in Canada. Data from 912 adolescents and young adults from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors were analyzed. Creatine monohydrate use in the past 12 months was assessed at Wave 1, and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology was measured using the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) at Wave 1 and Wave 2. The prospective associations between creatine monohydrate use and the MDDI total score and subscale scores were determined using linear regression analyses. Regression analyses controlled for relevant demographic identifiers, prior substance use, and the corresponding Wave 1 MDDI variable. Creatine monohydrate use at Wave 1 was prospectively associated with both total muscle dysmorphia symptomatology (B 1.34, 95 % CI 0.27, 2.42) and greater Appearance Intolerance (B 0.52, 95 % CI 0.02, 1.03) at Wave 2. Importantly, these findings were independent of prior muscle dysmorphia symptomatology, lifetime anabolic-androgenic steroid use, lifetime cigarette use, and frequency of alcohol use. Creatine monohydrate is commonly used among adolescents and young adults. Findings from this study are among the first to document that creatine monohydrate use may be a risk factor for the development of muscle dysmorphia symptomatology among adolescents and young adults. Health and mental health care professionals may consider assessing for both creatine monohydrate use and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology among adolescents and young adults.