title: Abnormal dexamethasone suppression test in daily chronic headache sufferers.
abstract: The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was administered in 48 daily chronic headache (DCH) sufferers, 37 of whom also suffered from mild to severe depression. In 14 of 48 subjects (29.2%), cortisol values at 1600h were greater than 50 ng/ml, despite normal suppression at 0800h. The escapers showed basal cortisol values and (Depression scale) scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory higher than suppressors. Thus, a group of DCH sufferers appeared to share a biochemical defect often seen in endogenous depression. The escape from dexamethasone suppression could be a psychobiological indicator of vulnerability to develop depressive disorder and/or chronic pain complaints.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone