Methodological standards in studies evaluating the dexamethasone suppression test.

Abstract

The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) has been used for several years to assist in the diagnosis of melancholia. However, recent studies have cast doubt upon the diagnostic efficacy of the test. Twenty of the original studies that assessed this application of the DST were reviewed using six methodological criteria considered essential for the evaluation of a diagnostic test. None of the papers complied with all the criteria and only seven of the papers satisfied more than three criteria. These findings suggest that methodological problems might account for discrepancies between the original claims made for the test and the current status of the test.