False-positive dexamethasone suppression test results related to antipsychotic drug withdrawal: case report.
A nonmelancholic schizophrenic patient showed a positive dexamethasone suppression test (DST) 3 days after antipsychotic drug withdrawal. The patient was then put on a stable dose of the antipsychotic and a repeat DST showed normal suppression. The drug was again stopped, and 3 days later a DST was positive. This indicates that antipsychotic withdrawal may lead to false-positive DST results. The theoretical implications and clinical relevance of this finding are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010640:Phenothiazines; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone