THE DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST AND ECT OUTCOME - A 6-MONTH FOLLOW-UP

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 18  (1) , 21-27
Abstract
In an earlier report, the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) rated globally, predicted the response of 42 patients treated with ECT [electroconvulsive therapy] at discharge. To determine the predictive value of the DST following discharge these patients were reevaluated 6 mo. after admission. Suppressors and nonsuppressors did not differ in any of the follow-up measures; DST results added very little to the variance accounted for by diagnosis, age and episode duration. Patients whose DST converted at discharge from abnormal to normal were less likely to have sustained remission during follow-up than were patients whose DST had remained abnormal.