The dexamethasone suppression test in patients with bulimia.

In a series of 28 patients with bulimia who did not meet weight criteria for anorexia nervosa, 14 (50%) failed to suppress on the dexamethasone suppression test. Nonsuppression was not associated with degree of depression, body weight, or severity of abnormal eating-related behaviors. However, nonsuppression was associated with a higher rate of treatment for affective disorders in first-degree family members. The utility of the DST as a biologic marker for affective disorder in patients with bulimia is questioned, although a substantial level of depressive symptomatology was documented in patients with bulimia.