Oc. Mudford et al., THE DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST AND THE DIAGNOSIS OF DEPRESSION INADULTS WITH SEVERE AND PROFOUND DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES, JIDR. Journal of intellectual disability research, 39, 1995, pp. 275-283
The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was administered to 40 adults
with severe and profound mental retardation. All participants were fr
ee from known conditions which may have given misleading results from
cortisol assay. Of nine participants who showed symptoms possibly indi
cating depression the DST results concurred in two cases (i.e. there w
ere two true-positives). However there were four or five (depending on
criteria adopted) false-positive DST results. There did not appear to
be a consistent behavioural profile for positive DST responders. With
sensitivity to possible depression estimated at 22%, and a diagnostic
confidence of <35%, these data do not support recommendations that th
e DST is useful for assisting in diagnosis of depression in this popul
ation.