Study Report
Reference
| Citation | Appelhof, 2006 PubMed |
| Full Info | Appelhof, B.C., Huyser, J., Verweij, M., Brouwer, J.P., van Dyck, R., Fliers, E., Hoogendijk, W.J., Tijssen, J.G., Wiersinga, W.M. and Schene, A.H. (2006) Glucocorticoids and relapse of major depression (dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone test in relation to relapse of major depression). Biol Psychiatry, 59, 696-701.
|
Study
| Hypothesis or Background |
Knowledge of pathogenic mechanisms and predictors of relapse in major depressive disorder is still limited. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis dysregulation is thought to be related to the development and course of depression.
|
| Sample Information | 45 outpatients with clinically remitted major depression |
|---|
| Method Detail | We investigated whether dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone (DEX/CRH) test parameters were related to the occurrence of relapse in 45 outpatients with clinically remitted major depression. The DEX/CRH test was administered before and after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment. |
| Method Keywords | blood analysis |
| Result | Posttreatment maximal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and maximal cortisol levels, as well as delta ACTH and delta cortisol levels, were significantly higher (all p < .05) among patients who relapsed (n = 22) compared with patients in whom no relapse occurred (n = 23). Higher posttreatment maximal cortisol response on the DEX/CRH test was associated with shorter relapse-free survival (p = .05). |
| Conclusions | In outpatients with clinically remitted major depression, higher posttreatment maximal cortisol levels on the DEX/CRH test were associated with relapse of major depression. |
Relationships reported by
Appelhof, 2006
| Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
|
MDD
|
syndrome |
Hydrocortisone (cortisol) |
molecule |
|
Posttreatment maximal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and maximal cortisol levels, as well as delta ACTH and delta cortisol levels, were significantly higher (all p < .05) among patients who relapsed (n = 22) compared with patients in whom no relapse occurred (n = 23). |
Positive
|
|
MDD
|
syndrome |
Pro-opiomelanocortin (adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)) |
protein |
P-value<0.05 |
Posttreatment maximal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and maximal cortisol levels, as well as delta ACTH and delta cortisol levels, were significantly higher (all p < .05) among patients who relapsed (n = 22) compared with patients in whom no relapse occurred (n = 23). |
Positive
|
