Seasonal variation and the results of the dexamethasone suppression test.
There is controversy over the presence of a circannual rhythm in cortisol values in samples provided by depressed patients after a standard dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Post-DST cortisol values from patients admitted to an acute psychiatric ward over a 2-year period have therefore been analysed by appropriate statistical tests. No evidence was found for significant seasonal variation.
Harris
B
B
Department of Psychological Medicine, Tenovus Institute, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K.
Watkins
S
S
Newcombe
R
R
Cook
N
N
Read
G
G
Riad-Fahmy
D
D
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D010507:Periodicity; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012016:Reference Values; D012621:Seasons
D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone