Comparison of early and delayed inpatient dexamethasone suppression tests

• Published in: Psychiatry research Vol. 27; no. 2; p. 161
• Main Authors: Haskett, R F, Zis, A P, Albala, A A, Lohr, N E, Carroll, B J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland 01-02-1989
• Subjects: Adult; Bipolar Disorder - diagnosis; Chronic Disease; Depressive Disorder - blood; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Dexamethasone; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Admission; Psychiatric Department, Hospital; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Schizophrenia - diagnosis
• ISSN: 0165-1781
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-1781(89)90131-5

Ninety-five inpatients completed a dexamethasone suppression test (DST) within 72 hours after admission and again after at least 1 week of medication-free hospital care. The frequency of cortisol nonsuppression in patients with endogenous depression (ED) was high and not significantly different at both tests. In patients with diagnoses other than ED, the higher rate of cortisol nonsuppression at the first DST was associated with a significant decrease in test specificity. Change in postdexamethasone cortisol levels at repeat testing was associated with a decrease in depressive symptomatology, but was not related to weight change during hospitalization.