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The Effects of Weight Change on the Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Depressed and Anorexic Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

I. Schweitzer ,
K. P. Maguire ,
J. W. G. Tiller ,
A. H. Gee ,
L. C. Harrison  and
B. M. Davies
I. Schweitzer*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
K. P. Maguire
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
J. W. G. Tiller
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
A. H. Gee
Affiliation:
Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology
L. C. Harrison
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
B. M. Davies
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne
*
University of Melbourne, Clinical Sciences Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia
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Abstract

Prior studies on weight change and hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning are reviewed. Data on 58 depressed and eight anorexic patients is presented. No significant difference in the frequency of cortisol non-suppression in the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was found between depressed patients with a history of weight loss and those without, nor between depressed patients who lost weight during their first week in hospital and those who did not. Mean weight loss of suppressors did not significantly differ from that of non-suppressors. Of 12 patients whose DST normalised during their stay in hospital, only four gained weight. Five anorexics who were non-suppressors were <70% of their ideal body weight (IBW), while three suppressor anorexics were ≧70% IBW. These results indicate that mild to moderate weight change is not a significant influence on DST response in depression.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 149 , Issue 6 , December 1986 , pp. 751 - 755
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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