ADRENAL SECRETION AND MAJOR DEPRESSION IN 8-YEAR-OLDS TO 16-YEAR-OLDS.2. INFLUENCE OF CO-MORBIDITY AT PRESENTATION

The association between high evening cortisol and low morning DHEA and the pattern of co-morbid diagnoses in 82 cases of major depressive di sorder in 8- to 16-year-olds has been analysed. There was a significan t association between the presence of high evening cortisol and co-mor bid dysthymia. This was independent of age or sex. No positive associa tion was found between the presence of low morning DHEA and any co-mor bid diagnosis. However, co-morbid panic or phobic disorder was signifi cantly associated with the absence of this endocrine abnormality. Thes e findings suggest that specific endocrine disturbances may be associa ted with different patterns of co-morbidity during an episode of major depression in this age group.