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Urinary free cortisol and clinical classification of depressive illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Philp Milln ,
Margaret Bishop  and
Alec Coppen
Philp Milln
Affiliation:
MRC Neuropsychiatry Research Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
Margaret Bishop
Affiliation:
MRC Neuropsychiatry Research Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
Alec Coppen*
Affiliation:
MRC Neuropsychiatry Research Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Alec Coppen, MRC Neuropsychiatry Research Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom KT19 8PB.
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Synopsis

Urinary free cortisol was measured in 24 patients with primary depressive illness. The patients were classified according to their family history (Winokur's classification) and the Newcastle scale. There was a significant increase in urinary free cortisol (UFC) excretion in patients classified as endogenous on the Newcastle scale, but UFC excretion was normal in patients with neurotic depression. No significant relationship between urinary free cortisol and the Winokur classification was observed.

Type
Brief Communication
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , August 1981 , pp. 643 - 645
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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