title: Adrenal secretion and major depression in 8- to 16-year-olds, II. Influence of co-morbidity at presentation.
abstract: The association between high evening cortisol and low morning DHEA and the pattern of co-morbid diagnoses in 82 cases of major depressive disorder in 8- to 16-year-olds has been analysed. There was a significant association between the presence of high evening cortisol and co-morbid dysthymia. This was independent of age or sex. No positive association was found between the presence of low morning DHEA and any co-morbid diagnosis. However, co-morbid panic or phobic disorder was significantly associated with the absence of this endocrine abnormality. These findings suggest that specific endocrine disturbances may be associated with different patterns of co-morbidity during an episode of major depression in this age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Goodyer
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Altham
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Secher
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Shiers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012016:Reference Values; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone