Normalization of XXXX suppression test: a laboratory index of recovery from endogenous depression.

@entity1 @entity619
Carroll et al. reported that an abnormal @entity619 suppression test (DST) may identify approximately 50% of endogenous depressives and that normalization of the test occurs with clinical recovery. Brown et al. and Schlesser et al. have confirmed the diagnostic utility of the test. A preliminary study suggested that when the DST failed to normalize at discharge, @entity1 were at high risk for early relapse. In this study, we compared ten unipolar or bipolar endogenous depressives who had an abnormal DST on admission and a normal DST at discharge, with four @entity1 whose abnormal DST on admission failed to convert at discharge. On all measures, those whose DST fail to convert showed substantially less improvement. @entity1 whose DST fail to normalize may have incomplete resolution of their underlying depressive process. Despite clinical judgment that discharge may be appropriate these @entity1 may require further active treatment. Use of the DST prior to discharge may help discriminate between @entity1 whose remaining symptoms reflect situational or psychosocial problems and those with a continuing endogenomorphic process.
