RSS Feeds
The Dexamethasone Suppression Test for the Detection, Diagnosis, and Management of Depression
Excerpt
The dexamethasone suppression test for the detection, diagnosis, and management of depression consists of two steps. Dexamethasone is administered orally, 1 mg in tablet form, at 2300 h. Then, samples of venous blood are drawn at 0800 h, 1600 h, and 2300 h the following day; in outpatients, only a 1600 h venous blood sample commonly is obtained.
A serum cortisol level greater than 4.5 to 5 µg/dL for any of the blood samples is abnormal and represents a positive test, depending on the assay used (1). Thus, it is important that the laboratory method used be precise and accurate
This 100-word excerpt has been provided in the absence of an abstract.
Acknowledgments
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project (CEAP) of the American College of Physicians is designed to evaluate and inform College members and others about the safety and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Evaluation of technologies begins with a notice in Annals of Internal Medicine and the ACP Observer inviting comments. Appropriate members of the Council of Medical Societies and the Council of Subspecialty Societies as well as other experts are asked to review technologies. The CEAP statements thus represent a synthesis of the literature and expert opinion and are intended to reflect the current state-of-the-art knowledge concerning a technology. Statements may be reconsidered as new information becomes available.
Article and Author Information
-
↵* This paper was authored by Mark Young, M.D., and J. Sanford Schwartz, M.D., and was developed for the Health and Public Policy Committee by the Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommittee: Donald E. Olson, M.D., Chairman; David Banta, M.D.; Alvan R. Feinstein, M.D.; Howard S. Frazier, M.D.; Richard B. Hornick, M.D.; and Seymour Perry, M.D. Members of the Health and Public Policy Committee for the 1983-1984 term were Edwin P. Maynard, III, M.D., Chairman; Arthur J. Atkinson, Jr., M.D.; Steven C. Beering, M.D.; Richard G. Farmer, M.D.; Paul F. Griner, M.D.; John R. Hogness, M.D.; Charles E. Lewis, M.D.; Donald E. Olson, M.D.; Malcolm L. Peterson, M.D.; Theodore B. Schwartz, M.D.; and Helen L. Smits, M.D. Richard J. Reitemeier, M.D., and Francis J. Sweeney, Jr., M.D., were ex officio members. This position paper was adopted by the Executive Committee of the Board of Regents on 28 September 1983.
-
Grant support: The Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project is funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation.
-
Quotations in advertisements and other commercial publications of text in the American College of Physicians position papers and Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project Recommendations must be with expressed permission from the Department of Health and Public Policy, American College of Physicians, 4200 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
-
▸Requests for reprints should be sent to Linda Johnson White; Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project, Department of Health and Public Policy, American College of Physicians, 4200 Pine Street; Philadelphia, PA 19104.
