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The Dexamethasone Suppression Test and Prediction of Outcome in Patients Receiving ECT

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

C. L. E. Katona*
Affiliation:
The Middlesex Hospital Medical School and University College London, Wolfson Building, The Middlesex Hospital, London W1N8AA
C. R. Aldridge
Affiliation:
Brighton General Hospital, Elm Grove, Brighton BN2 3EW
Martin Roth
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge Clinical School, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge
J. Hyde
Affiliation:
Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB1 5EF
*
Correspondece

Abstract

Twenty-six in-patients satisfying DSM-III criteria for major depressive episode were assessed using the Newcastle Diagnostic and ECT Predictor Scales and the dexamethasone suppression test (DST), prior to commencing a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The Newcastle ECT Predictor Scale was successful in predicting both immediate outcome and outcome over the 6 months following ECT; the DST was unsuccessful in predicting either immediate or 6-month outcome.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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