Correlations between mood scores, LH, adrenocortical steroids, and urine volumes in a patient with a history of postpartum depression and monthly psychotic episodes

A simple semantic differential test was administered twice daily and urinar y hormones measured as described previously. The subjects included the pati ent and two controls, one of whom experienced premenstrual physical, but no t mental, discomfort. The test scores of the two controls, administered for five weeks, did not differ significantly from one another but greatly diff ered from those of the patient. The highest scores in the patient (indicati ng improved mood) were obtained during the week containing the urinary LH p eak, and daily ratings correlated significantly with LH values. Significant , positive, correlations were also found between mood and ratios for aldost erone/cortisol, 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone(18-OH-DOC)/cortisol and 18-OH -DOC/18-hydroxycorticosterone. Urine volumes correlated positively with cor tisol, negatively with 18-OH-DOC, and negatively with mood (P<0.01). Urinar y hormone assays, affording the advantages of a non-invasive technique may thus reveal relationships of potential interest. Whether these are causal, rather than casual, remains to be assessed.