To evaluate the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) as an aid in
monitoring clinical recovery, the authors evaluated 127 outpatients with
major depression who received the DST during depression and after clinical
recovery. Although DST response varied among the 73 patients who met the
Research Diagnostic Criteria for definite endogenous depression, their mean
postdexamethasone plasma cortisol level was significantly higher during
depression than after recovery. However, the DST's utility in monitoring
long-term outcome was not great, as there was a high chance of remaining
stable for 6 months after recovery regardless of cortisol value during
depression or after recovery.
Abstract Teaser