When comparing the two course patterns of MD, a higher rate of malignant tumours among first-degree relatives, a greater number of long-lasting stress situations before the index depressive episode, longer duration of the previous episodes, less frequent DST nonsuppression, and a blunted TSH response to TRH were found in patients with a chronic course of MD.
This study was designed to assess the extent to which DST nonsuppression in bulimic women could be predicted by the incidence of major depression in the patient and her family and by other factors known to affect DST results, such as suboptimal weight.