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Abstract
A Dexamethasone Suppression Test nonsuppression rate of 27% was found in a group of
30 generalized anxiety disorder patients before treatment. The dexamethasone concentrations
in the eight nonsuppressors were significantly lower than in eight suppressors matched
by sex and age, but were similar to those in five nonsuppressors from a matched normal
control group. The dexamethasone concentrations in the generalized anxiety disorder
suppressors and a matched group of eight normal control suppressors were similar.
After successful nondrug behavioral treatment, all generalized anxiety disorder patients
were suppressors. Posttreatment dexamethasone concentrations in the initial nonsuppressor
patients remained significantly lower than in the initial suppressors. The results
suggest that low plasma dexamethasone concentrations after 1 mg oral dexamethasone
may confer a vulnerability to nonsuppression that may be expressed in the presence
of high state anxiety.
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Article info
Publication history
Received in revised form:
May 26,
1987
Received:
January 14,
1987
We thank Dr. P. Dennis, Director of Chemical Pathology, and Mr. K. Outch, Chief Biochemist of Chemical Pathology, Prince Henry's Hospital, Melbourne, for Cortisol determinations. Mrs. B. Thaker, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, performed the dexamethasone determinations, and Drv Stiel and Luttrell provided the dexamethasone antiserum.Identification
Copyright
© 1988 Published by Elsevier Inc.
