전쟁관련 외상후 스트레스장애 환자에서 Dexamethasone Suppression Test 소견

Dexamethasone Suppresion Test Findings in Patients with Combat-related Posttrauma tic Stress Disorder

In order to investigate the possibility of enhanced negative feedback sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, we used dexamethasone suppression test in 12 male posttraumatic stress disorder patients and age matched 12 male controls. We also measured Mississippi scale and Beck depression inventory(BDI), which were significantly higher in patient group than in control group. There was no difference in combat exposure scale(CES) score and baseline plasma cortisol level between patient group and control group. Plasma cortisol levels at 8 ： 00 a.m. and 4 ： 00 p.m. were significantly lower in patient group than control group. Relative value o f change was significantly higher in patient group than in control group. There was no significant correlation between relative value of change of cortisol from baseline to 4 ： 00 p.m. and B D I and CES sores. But Mississippi scale score had significant correlation with relative value of change. It is supposed that alteration of DST observed in this study be related with enhanced H PA axis sensitivity in posttraumatic stress disorder.