PLASMA-CORTISOL AND 11-DEOXYCORTISOL ACTIVITY IN DEPRESSED-PATIENTS AND NORMAL VOLUNTEERS
- Author(s)
- Schweitzer, I; TUCKWELL, VM; MAGUIRE, KP; TILLER, JWG; Harrison, LC; DAVIES, BM;
- Details
- Publication Year 1991,Volume 16,Issue #5,Page 375-382
- Journal Title
- PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- Plasma cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol were measured in 30 depressed patients and 110 normal volunteers before and after a 1.0 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Post-dexamethasone plasma cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and the cortisol/11-deoxycortisol ratio were significantly higher in the depressives compared to the controls, even when age and sex were taken into account. Predexamethasone plasma cortisol, post-dexamethasone cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and their ratio were significantly higher in the cortisol nonsuppressors than in the suppressors. The measurement of post-dexamethasone 11-deoxycortisol and the ratio did not differentiate between endogenous and reactive depression. Using the normative data, we explored several methods for determining a criterion value to define abnormal post-dexamethasone plasma 11-deoxycortisol and the cortisol/11-deoxycortisol ratio in depressed patients. All showed poor sensitivity and a low positive predictive value for depression. The measurement of 11-deoxycortisol thus does not enhance the clinical utility of the DST.
- Publisher
- PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
- Keywords
- DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST; CLINICAL UTILITY; AGE
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(91)90002-B
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 1991-01-01 12:00:00