Transcultural approach of depression. Comparative study of the diagnostic performance of the dexamethasone suppression test in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Liege (Belgium)
Lucchesi, L. M.; Fernandes, M. H.; Silva Junior, N.et al.
Transcultural approach of depression. Comparative study of the diagnostic performance of the dexamethasone suppression test in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Liege (Belgium).pdf
Dexamethasone suppression test; Major depression; Seasonality; Transcultural approach
Abstract :
[en] We compared the rate of DST non-suppression in two samples of 26 Brazilian and 26 Belgian female depressive patients, matched for age, diagnostic subtype and severity of depression. This rate was significantly lower in Sao Paulo than in Liege (P = 0.04). The differences observed in DST can be explained by the complexity of familial, personal and clinical factors. A role of a latitude effect through melatonin secretion on adrenocortical function of depressed patients is also suggested.
Disciplines :
Treatment & clinical psychology
Author, co-author :
Lucchesi, L. M.; University Laboratory, Applied Cognitive Psychophysiology, Hop. Psychiatrique Petit-Bourgogne, B-4000 Liege, Belgium
Fernandes, M. H.; University Laboratory, Applied Cognitive Psychophysiology, Hop. Psychiatrique Petit-Bourgogne, B-4000 Liege, Belgium
Transcultural approach of depression. Comparative study of the diagnostic performance of the dexamethasone suppression test in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Liege (Belgium)
