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The DST and its Relationship to Psychiatric Diagnosis, Symptoms and Treatment Outcome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Helmfried E. Klein ,
Wolfram Bender ,
Hermann Mayr ,
Alois Niederschweiberer  and
Max Schmauss
Helmfried E. Klein*
Affiliation:
Fachklinik für Psychiatrie und Neurologie, Universitätsstrasse 84, 8400 Regensburg, West Germany; Psychiatrische Klinik der Universität München, Nussbaumstrasse 7, 8000 München 2, West Germany
Wolfram Bender
Affiliation:
Postfach 1111,8013 Haar, West Germany; Psychiatrische Klinik der Universität München
Hermann Mayr
Affiliation:
Kreiskrankenhaus Fürstenfeldbruck; Psychiatrische Klinik der Universität München
Alois Niederschweiberer
Affiliation:
Kreiskrankenhaus Landshut; Psychiatrische Klinik der Universität München
Max Schmauss
Affiliation:
Klinik der Universität München
*
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Summary

The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was administered shortly after admission to 102 consecutive in-patients with a Hamilton depression score ≥16. Post-dexamethasone cortisol exceeded 6pg/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.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 145 , Issue 6 , December 1984 , pp. 591 - 599
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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