Dexamethasone suppression test and treatment response

J Clin Psychiatry. 1984 Sep;45(9):387-9.

Abstract

The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is frequently used to predict response to antidepressant therapy or to noradrenergic vs. serotonergic antidepressants. In a study of 173 inpatients and outpatients, the DST was not found to be predictive of response to antidepressant treatment for all depressed patients or of treatment response in a subgroup of melancholic patients (N = 86). Response of DST suppressors and nonsuppressors to antidepressants stratified by neurotransmitter specificity was not found to differ.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder / blood
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Dexamethasone*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Random Allocation

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Dexamethasone
  • Hydrocortisone