Abstract
A total of 10 patients who fulfilled DSM-III-R criteria for major depression were recruited to the study, each of whom had failed to respond to a 6-week course of treatment with either sertraline or fluoxetine. Each subject had baseline serum cortisol measurements together with a Hamilton depression (HAMD) score. All patients were started on dexamethasone (3 mg daily) for 4 days, while remaining on their antidepressant treatment. Further Hamilton ratings were made on days 5 and 21. Six patients showed a significant improvement, whilst two showed a minimal response. A good clinical response was associated with a high baseline cortisol level.
MeSH terms
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1-Naphthylamine / administration & dosage
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1-Naphthylamine / analogs & derivatives
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Adult
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / administration & dosage*
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Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
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Depressive Disorder / psychology
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Dexamethasone / administration & dosage*
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Female
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Fluoxetine / administration & dosage
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Humans
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Hydrocortisone / blood
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Personality Inventory
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Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
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Sertraline
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
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Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
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Fluoxetine
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Dexamethasone
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1-Naphthylamine
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Sertraline
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Hydrocortisone