Depression, hypertension, and serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity.

Serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was measured in a heterogeneous sample of 290 outpatients awaiting medical, surgical, or psychiatric appointments at a Veterans Administration Hospital. All patients were assessed for depressive symptomatology by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and for elevated diastolic blood pressure (BP greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg). Elevated DBH activity was associated with SDS scores greater than or equal to 60. No statistical association was found between DBH activity and diastolic BP. Two pharmacological agents, alpha-methyl-DOPA and minor tranquilizers, also were associated with significant alterations in serum DBH activity.