title: Dexamethasone suppression test in masked depression.
abstract: The dexamethasone suppression test (DST), family history, response to antidepressant medication and short-term course were investigated in 16 female patients with masked depression. Twelve patients showed abnormal DST results, 3 patients had positive family history of affective illness in first-degree relatives, 11 responded well to antidepressant drug treatment and 3 showed definite hypomanic episodes during follow-up. The results suggest that masked depression is a special form of primary (endogenous) depressive illness, and that the DST is a good diagnostic aid not only in the 'classical' but also in masked forms of depressive disorders.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone