Enhancing the Utility of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test: A Chart Review and Application of Bayes’ Theorem

This article analyzes the dexamethasone suppression test (DST), a test to idenfity major depressive disorder. It is the most extensively studied biological test in psychiatry. Despite this, it has limited sensitivity & specificity. Relative to the interpretation of other diagnostic tests, the DST is difficult. However, Bayes’ theorem & concepts such as positive predictive value & post-test probability difference can help capture the true implications of the DST results. (VM)