title: The predictive power of the salivary cortisol dexamethasone suppression test for three-year outcome in major depressive illness.
abstract: Seventy patients satisfying DSM-III and Research Diagnostic Criteria for major depression were given a salivary cortisol dexamethasone suppression test, with samples collected at 0700 h, 1500 h and 2300 h after dexamethasone. The patients were classified as nonsuppressors (mean post-dexamethasone salivary cortisol concentration greater than or equal to 2.0 ng/ml, N = 27) and suppressors (mean post-dexamethasone salivary cortisol concentration less than 2.0 ng/ml, N = 43). At 3-yr follow-up there was no difference in illness outcome as assessed by the life table method or by the length of rehospitalisation for several periods after the index episode. In multiple regression and discriminant function analyses, with outcome as the dependent variable (readmitted within 1 yr, readmitted between 1 and 3 yr, not readmitted), the mean post-dexamethasone salivary cortisol concentration was not significantly predictive of outcome.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, U.K.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mander
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Copolov
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Poland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007902:Length of Stay; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012606:Scotland
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone