The authors administered the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) to
outpatients, who were free from psychoactive drugs for at least 10 days
before the test, with primary affective disorder (N = 60), generalized
anxiety disorder (N = 26), panic disorder (N = 22), and agoraphobia with
panic attacks (N = 13). With a cortisol value of 5 micrograms/dl considered
nonsuppression, there were no significant differences in dexamethasone
nonsuppression rates among the diagnostic groups. Scores on the Hamilton
Rating Scale for Depression and a melancholia subscale were significantly
higher in the depressed group than in the anxiety disorder group. The
findings raise questions concerning the specificity of the DST for primary
affective disorder in relationship to anxiety disorders.Abstract Teaser