title: Methylene blue: a reliable and practical marker for validating compliance on the DST.
abstract: Assurance of compliance (ingestion of dexamethasone) is crucial for interpreting plasma cortisol results on the DST. In this double-blind study of 13 subjects, methylene blue (MB) 50 mg was combined with dexamethasone 1 mg in single capsules, and the resulting blue-green urinary color after ingestion was found to reliably validate compliance in 100% of patients and controls. The addition of MB did not influence DST results (i.e., plasma cortisol, plasma dexamethasone). Adding MB to dexamethasone as a marker is a reliable and safe means of validating compliance on the DST and is considerably more practical than plasma dexamethasone level determinations.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grof
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Arana
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Workman
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008751:Methylene Blue; D006854:Hydrocortisone