title: The DST and its relationship to psychiatric diagnosis, symptoms and treatment outcome.
abstract: The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was administered shortly after admission to 102 consecutive in-patients with a Hamilton depression score greater than or equal to 16. Post-dexamethasone cortisol exceeded 6 micrograms/dl in 16 cases, and levels correlated significantly with Hamilton scores; with the AMP syndromes 'hypochondria', 'apathy' and 'catatonia'; and with the IMPS 'retarded depressive' syndrome. The criterion of suppression/non-suppression did not distinguish significantly between diagnostic categories (RDC or ICD), nor between endogenous and neurotic depression. (Newcastle scale). Both base-line and post-dexamethasone cortisol levels were reduced by prior treatment with minor tranquillisers, but not by major tranquillisers or antidepressants. DST results cannot be used as straightforward indicators of prognosis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone