The dexamethasone suppression test in schizo-affective depression.
The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was performed on 30 patients fulfilling RDC or Kendell criteria for schizo-affective depression. Symptoms characteristic of depression or schizophrenia were noted, and the severity of psychosis and the severity and endogenicity of depression were assessed. Ratings of severity were repeated at 2-month follow-up. Ten of the 30 subjects were DST non-suppressors, but no clear differences in symptoms, severity of illness or outcome between suppressors and non-suppressors emerged. Thus, although schizo-affective depression is associated with an increased frequency of HPA axis abnormality as assessed by the DST, this test does not clarify the status of schizo-affective depression in the classification of psychiatric illness.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology
D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone