DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST AND AXIS-I DIAGNOSES OF INPATIENTS WITH DSM-III BORDERLINE PERSONALITY-DISORDER

Abstract

To determine the relationship of Axis I diagnoses to the DSM-III [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III] diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, 100 consecutive admissions to an inpatient service were studied. Of the 27 patients labeled borderline, 14 were given an Axis I diagnosis of major depression (unipolar) compared with 8 of 73 nonborderlines; 73% (19 of 26) of all borderlines tested but only 46% (18 of 39) of nonborderlines had a positive DST [dexamethasone suppression test] (P < 0.05). Few borderline patients received concomitant nonaffective diagnoses, and even fewer were given bipolar or schizoaffective diagnoses.