Dexamethasone suppression test in a pluridiagnostic approach: its relationship to psychopathological and clinical...

Using a pluridiagnostic approach, the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was studied in 67 depressed inpatients in its relationship to diverse clinical variables. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC), the Newcastle Index, the Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAM-D), and the Bf-s self rating questionnaire were applied. Fifty-two per cent of endogenous depressed (ICD), 51% of major depressive (RDC) and 53% of endogenous depressed (Newcastle) patients demonstrated dexamethasone nonsuppression (DSTN) with a value above 110 nm/l. Six per cent of neurotic depressed (ICD), 9% of minor depressive (RDC) and 23% of neurotic depressed (Newcastle) patients were dexamethasone nonsuppressors. Significantly higher values (after P-correction) for DSTN could be detected in severity ratings as measured with Newcastle (P less than 0.001) and HAM-D global score (P less than 0.001) and also for HAM-D factor 4 (somatic complaints, P = 0.001). All the other evaluated variables did not discriminate between patients with dexamethasone suppression and with nonsuppression.