Citation

Westrin A, Frii K, Träskman-Bendz L. Eur. Psychiatry 2003; 18(7): 350-355.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2003.07.004

PMID

14643563

Abstract

Previous research on hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis-activity in suicide attempter research has shown conflicting outcomes. The design of the present study was to test the influence of personality disorders and concominant axis I diagnoses on the dexamethasone suppression diagnostic test by use of multiple regression analyses. The sample consisted of 184 patients with a recent suicide attempt and 42 healthy controls. As expected, the lowest pre- and postdexamethasone cortisol levels were found in patients with personality disorders axis II, cluster B as compared to the other patients. The results remained significant when analysed for covariance with DSM-III-R axis I diagnoses, age or sex. Whether these low cortisol levels are due to previous experience of extreme stressful events or long-lasting burden, or whether they may be a consequence of biogenetic or psychological predisposal of interest, remains to be elucidated. Axis I comorbidity needs to be further examined.

Language: en

Keywords

Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Aged; Depressive Disorder; Dexamethasone; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Male; Middle Aged; Personality Disorders; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Suicide, Attempted