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Dexamethasone suppression test in alcohol withdrawal: relationship to depression and liver function
J Balldin1, U Berggren, K Bokström
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Abnormal dexamethasone suppression test (DST) responses during alcohol withdrawal do not predict relapse. DST abnormalities are likely due to alcohol
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Alcohol dependence is a chronic relapsing condition.
- The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is used to assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis function.
- Depressive symptoms are common during alcohol withdrawal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between DST response, depressive symptoms, and liver function during alcohol withdrawal.
- To determine if DST response predicts relapse in male alcohol-dependent patients.
Main Methods:
- 15 male alcohol-dependent patients were studied for 2 weeks during withdrawal.
- Dexamethasone suppression tests (DST) and depressive symptom assessments were performed.
- Liver function tests were monitored.
Main Results:
- No association was found between DST response and relapse into drinking.
- Approximately 50% of patients showed abnormal DST responses in the first week.
- No relationship was observed between DST response and depression or depressive symptoms.
- Depression remitted within 1-2 weeks, while DST responses remained abnormal for at least 2 weeks in some non-relapsing patients.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal DST response does not predict relapse in alcohol withdrawal.
- Abnormal DST responses are unlikely due to liver function alterations.
- Alcohol's effect on the HPA axis may cause abnormal DST responses during withdrawal.