title: Correlation between the dexamethasone suppression test in depressed patients and clinical response.
abstract: Eighteen psychiatric inpatients who fulfilled DSM-III criteria for major depression and who had a positive dexamethasone suppression test after admission were later retested. Of the 13 patients who exhibited cortisol suppression at discharge, two relapsed within 6 months; five remained nonsuppressors at discharge, and all either required further inpatient care or were symptomatic within 2 weeks to 4 months. Continued cortisol nonsuppression was thus associated with poor clinical response or high risk of relapse.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone