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Abstract
Results of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST), performed on 65 patients with
major unipolar depression, were classified both by suppression versus nonsuppression
and by three ranges of postdexamethasone cortisol levels. Subgroups of patients were
then compared for familial prevalence for depression and alcoholism and for delusional
symptomatology. A strong association emerged among (1) high postdexamethasone cortisol
levels, (2) a significantly increased familial prevalence for depression, and (3)
the presence of delusions in probands. In this study, ranges of DST responses were
superior to suppression versus nonsuppression criteria alone in defining this subgroup.
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Article info
Publication history
Received in revised form:
April 28,
1986
Received:
February 7,
1986
Identification
Copyright
© 1986 Published by Elsevier Inc.
