Right before exit, journalist deteriorated (9)

I believe the answer is:

regressed

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'deteriorated' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to bodily activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'right before exit journalist' is the wordplay.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'exit' becomes 'egress' (I've seen this in another clue).
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'r'+'egress'+'ed'='REGRESSED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for regressed that I've seen is " Fell back to a previous state".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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