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The Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Affective Disorder

Relationship to Clinical and Genetic Subgroups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

J. Mendlewicz ,
G. Charles  and
J. M. Franckson
J. Mendlewicz
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Brussels University Clinics, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, 808 Route de Lennick, Brussels 1070, Belgium
G. Charles
Affiliation:
C.G.T.R., Department of Neurosciences, 6110 Montignies le Tilleul
J. M. Franckson
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Chemistry, Free University of Brussels
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Summary

Plasma Cortisol suppression after dexamethasone administration in 113 consecutively hospitalized patients (54 patients with primary depression, 41 with secondary depression and 18 non-depressed controls) showed early morning hypersecretion of Cortisol and Cortisol non-suppression after dexamethasone mainly in patients with primary depression. The sensitivity of the dexamethasone suppression test was 79 per cent in unipolar and bipolar primary depressed patients, specificity 79 per cent and diagnostic confidence of a positive test 82 per cent. Non-suppression to dexamethasone was observed in 81 per cent of patients with psychotic depression but only 37 per cent of those with non-psychotic depression. Age, sex and severity of depression, menopausal status, or benzodiazepines did not influence results. There was no association between Cortisol non-suppresssion and any genetic subgroup of affective disorder.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 141 , Issue 5 , November 1982 , pp. 464 - 470
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1982 

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