BACKGROUND: Non-suppression on the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in unipolar depression has been found to be associated with completed suicide, with less consistent data for attempted suicide and hospitalizations for suicidality. The purpose of this study was to examine DST non-suppression as a predictor of these three aspects of suicidal behavior. METHODS: Records were reviewed for 101 patients who met criteria for major depressive disorder and/or dysthymic disorder and had a DST performed. All patients were treated naturalistically and were followed for an average of 2 years. DST suppressors and non-suppressors were compared with respect to three outcomes: (1) completed suicide; (2) attempted suicide; and (3) hospitalizations for suicidality. RESULTS: DST non-suppressors were significantly more likely to have completed suicide or be hospitalized for suicidality than DST suppressors, with a non-significant trend for attempts. Total suicidal events were also significantly more frequent in the non-suppressor group. LIMITATIONS: Axis II diagnoses and severity of illness were not assessed. Knowledge of DST results may have influenced the decision to hospitalize patients. CONCLUSIONS: DST non-suppression identifies unipolar depressed patients with a higher risk for future suicide completion or hospitalization for suicidality. Performance of DST upon initiation of treatment may be a useful adjunct in identifying suicidal risk.
BACKGROUND: Non-suppression on the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in unipolar depression has been found to be associated with completed suicide, with less consistent data for attempted suicide and hospitalizations for suicidality. The purpose of this study was to examine DST non-suppression as a predictor of these three aspects of suicidal behavior. METHODS: Records were reviewed for 101 patients who met criteria for major depressive disorder and/or dysthymic disorder and had a DST performed. All patients were treated naturalistically and were followed for an average of 2 years. DST suppressors and non-suppressors were compared with respect to three outcomes: (1) completed suicide; (2) attempted suicide; and (3) hospitalizations for suicidality. RESULTS: DST non-suppressors were significantly more likely to have completed suicide or be hospitalized for suicidality than DST suppressors, with a non-significant trend for attempts. Total suicidal events were also significantly more frequent in the non-suppressor group. LIMITATIONS: Axis II diagnoses and severity of illness were not assessed. Knowledge of DST results may have influenced the decision to hospitalize patients. CONCLUSIONS: DST non-suppression identifies unipolar depressedpatients with a higher risk for future suicide completion or hospitalization for suicidality. Performance of DST upon initiation of treatment may be a useful adjunct in identifying suicidal risk.
Authors: Nadine M Melhem; John G Keilp; Giovanna Porta; Maria A Oquendo; Ainsley Burke; Barbara Stanley; Thomas B Cooper; J John Mann; David A Brent Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2015-10-09 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: Mina M Rizk; Hanga Galfalvy; Tanya Singh; John G Keilp; M Elizabeth Sublette; Maria A Oquendo; J John Mann; Barbara Stanley Journal: J Affect Disord Date: 2018-04-01 Impact factor: 4.839
Authors: Maria A Oquendo; Gregory M Sullivan; Katherin Sudol; Enrique Baca-Garcia; Barbara H Stanley; M Elizabeth Sublette; J John Mann Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2014-10-31 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Daniel C Mathews; Erica M Richards; Mark J Niciu; Dawn F Ionescu; Joseph J Rasimas; Carlos A Zarate Journal: Transl Neurosci Date: 2013-06 Impact factor: 1.757