The influence of psychiatric comorbidity on the dexamethasone/CRH test in major depression.
Eur Neuropsychopharmacol
; 19(6): 409-15, 2009 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19327969
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The outcome of the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing-hormone (DEX/CRH) test in depressed patients is heterogeneous. The present study investigated whether comorbidity of anxiety or somatoform disorders might be an explaining factor for this finding.METHODS:
The DEX/CRH test was administered in 36 pure major depressive outpatients, 18 major depressive outpatients with a comorbid anxiety and/or somatoform disorder, and 43 healthy controls. Patients were free of psychotropic medication. Group differences in responsivity to the DEX/CRH test were analysed.RESULTS:
Depressive patients with comorbidity showed a significant lower cortisol response compared to pure depressive patients (p = 0.04) and controls (p = 0.003). Group differences between MDD patients with and without comorbidity in cortisol responses disappeared after adjustment for post-DEX cortisol concentrations (p = 0.34).CONCLUSIONS:
An enhanced suppression of cortisol to 1.5 mg DEX is present in a subgroup of depressed patients with psychiatric comorbidity. Distinct hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunctions are revealed when comorbidity is taken into account.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Dexametasona
/
Transtorno Depressivo Maior
/
Transtornos Mentais
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur Neuropsychopharmacol
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article