Salivary cortisol hypersecretion in juvenile depression.
Thirty depressed inpatients aged 7-16 yrs were compared for salivary hypercortisolism with a control group of 16 inpatients of mixed diagnosis matched for age and sex. Four cortisol samples were taken over a 48 hr period: 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. on the first day; then, with 1 mg of dexamethasone given immediately after the second sample, at 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. on the second day. All except the 8 a.m. value were significantly greater (P less than 0.03) in the depressed group. A 4 nmol/l cutoff for the 4 p.m. sample gave 48% sensitivity and 91% specificity for discriminating depressed cases (P = 0.03). The results indicate that the salivary method for estimating cortisol levels in children and adolescents with depression warrants further study.
Foreman
D M
DM
Department of Postgraduate Medicine, University of Keele, U.K.
Goodyer
I M
IM
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*
D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone