title: Salivary testosterone levels and major depressive illness in men.
abstract: Studies of testosterone levels in patients with major depressive illness have produced varying results, plasma levels usually being reported. Saliva levels reflect 'free' plasma testosterone, and a pilot study of 11 men with major depression with melancholia, who underwent a standard dexamethasone suppression test, is described. There were no significant differences in testosterone levels compared with an age-matched control group. In the patient group, pre-dexamethasone levels correlated significantly and negatively with depression ratings on the 21-item Hamilton and the Montgomery and Asberg depression scales, and also with state anxiety measured on the Spielberger scale.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Riad-Fahmy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone