The Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Depression

1987 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alec Coppen ◽  
Maryse Metcalfe
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression Test ◽  
World Health ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Research Centres ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression

The response to the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was examined in 543 patients suffering from major depressive illness and 246 healthy controls, from 13 research centres, representing 12 different countries, in a World Health Organization Collaborative Study. In almost all the centres, the post-dexamethasone plasma Cortisol concentration was significantly higher in the patients than in the controls. Although there is variation between centres, this abnormal response to the DST was shown to be frequent in patients from widely different geographical areas.

Performance of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Depressive Illness According to ICD and DSM-III Classification Systems

1988 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Watkins ◽  
Brian Harris ◽  
Nigel Cook ◽  
Roger Thomas ◽  
Diana Riad-Fahmy
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Episode ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression Test ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Manic Depressive Illness ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Diagnostic Categories ◽  
Manic Depressive ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression

The performance of the dexamethasone suppression test was assessed in 90 consecutive admissions with a diagnosis of depression, categorised according to two classification systems (DSM-III and ICD-9). Non-suppression was found in most of the diagnostic categories, but there was a highly significant association with the DSM-III classification ‘major depressive episode with melancholia’ (52%) in comparison with the ICD group ‘manic-depressive illness-depressed’ (29%).

Cortisol Suppression Index in Major Depressive Illness

1984 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression Test ◽  
Diagnostic Confidence ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Acceptable Alternative ◽  
Late Evening ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Cortisol Suppression ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression ◽  
Suppression Index

This study compares the utility of a cortisol suppression index with the standard dexamethasone suppression test as a diagnostic aid for major depressive disorder. In 50 patients the cortisol suppression index was found to have similar sensitivity while also having greater specificity and diagnostic confidence than the dexamethasone suppression test. By avoiding the need for a late-evening blood sample, the cortisol suppression index may be an acceptable alternative to the current procedure.

Depression, Weight Loss and the Dexamethasone Suppression Test

1984 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alec Coppen ◽  
Janet Harwood ◽  
Keith Wood
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression Test ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression

SummaryThe dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was carried out on 143 patients with a major depressive disorder, who were classified into those with a history of weight loss (n = 89) and those without (n = 54). Seventy-three per cent of patients with weight loss and 61% of patients without had an abnormal DST; this difference was not statistically significant. Of the patients receiving prophylactic lithium therapy, 13 were found to have changed their DST status on retesting after a period of 14 months, but there was no significant difference in their weight. It is concluded that weight loss is not a necessary condition for an abnormal DST in depressive illness.

Major Depressive Episode and Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test

1982 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-114
Author(s):  
Masakazu Sarai ◽  
Norio Taniguchi ◽  
Takao Kagomoto ◽  
Hideaki Kameda ◽  
Takeshi Uema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Major Depressive Episode ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression Test ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression

Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Depression and other Psychiatric Illness

1983 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. 498-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Coppen ◽  
M. Abou-Saleh ◽  
P. Milln ◽  
M. Metcalfe ◽  
J. Harwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression Test ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Abnormal Response ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression ◽  
Normal Controls

SummaryThe prevalence of an abnormal response to the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was examined in 119 in-patients suffering from a major depressive disorder and in 79 normal controls. Only 11 per cent of controls showed an abnormal DST as against 70 per cent of depressed patients. The specificity of the DST was examined by testing patients with other psychiatric disorders. Abnormal responses were found in one-fifth of a sample of schizophrenics, over one-quarter of abstinent alcoholics, two-fifths of neurotics (including neurotic depressives) and almost half of senile dements. Abnormal DST was also found in 33 per cent of patients receiving prophylactic lithium for recurrent affective disorders.

The Dexamethasone Suppression Test for Melancholia

1982 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard J. Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Adrenal Cortex ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression Test ◽  
Neuroendocrine System ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Biological Basis ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression

SummaryMelancholia is thought by many investigators to have a biological basis, and biological research, particularly on abnormalities of the neuroendocrine system and of the sleep electroencephalogram, is now beginning to yield results which can help in the differential diagnosis of depressive illness. This review will focus on the most widely studied neuroendocrine disturbance: disinhibition of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortex (HPA) system as revealed by the dexamethasone suppression test (DST).

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