The dexamethasone suppression test and prediction of outcome in patients receiving ECT

Twenty-six in-patients satisfying DSM-III criteria for major depressive episode were assessed using the Newcastle Diagnostic and ECT Predictor Scales and the dexamethasone suppression test (DST), prior to commencing a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The Newcastle ECT Predictor Scale was successful in predicting both immediate outcome and outcome over the 6 months following ECT; the DST was unsuccessful in predicting either immediate or 6-month outcome.