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Adrenal secretion and major depression in 8- to 16-year-olds, II. Influence of co-morbidity at presentation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

J. Herbert
Affiliation:
Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Anatomy, MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and the Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge
I. M. Goodyer*
Affiliation:
Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Anatomy, MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and the Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge
P. M. E. Altham
Affiliation:
Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Anatomy, MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and the Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge
J. Pearson
Affiliation:
Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Anatomy, MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and the Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge
S. M. Secher
Affiliation:
Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Anatomy, MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and the Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge
H. M. Shiers
Affiliation:
Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Anatomy, MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and the Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge
*
1Address for correspondence: Professor I. M. Goodyer, Development Psychiatry Section, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 2AH.

Synopsis

The association between high evening cortisol and low morning DHEA and the pattern of co-morbid diagnoses in 82 cases of major depressive disorder in 8- to 16-year-olds has been analysed. There was a significant association between the presence of high evening cortisol and co-morbid dysthymia. This was independent of age or sex. No positive association was found between the presence of low morning DHEA and any co-morbid diagnosis. However, co-morbid panic or phobic disorder was significantly associated with the absence of this endocrine abnormality. These findings suggest that specific endocrine disturbances may be associated with different patterns of co-morbidity during an episode of major depression in this age group.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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