Cofactors Associated with Clinical Response to ECT

Abstract

Background: The indications of the use of ECT and the clinical response to it are influenced by many undelineated, complex and interacting factors. Demographic, clinical, and seizural factors are reported to have an association with this response. This work aimed at studying the different factors associated and possibly influencing clinical response to ECT in acutely ill patients, to optimize the therapeutic benefits in routine clinical settings.

Method: This study was carried on 155 inpatients at Abassia Mental Hospital with acute illness. 50 patients served as a control group and received psychotropic medications only, 105 patients received ECT and pharmacotherapy. ECT was administered bilaterally, and with minimal and moderately suprathreshold stimuli, peripheral motor seizure was monitored for its duration using a stopwatch. Clinical response was assessed by different scales, and was tested statistically for association with different variables.

Results: Results of this study showed a faster clinical response for patients receiving combined ECT and pharmacotherapy. The response is also faster for the group receiving moderately suprathreshold stimuli. High-relapse rate was shown for both groups.

Conclusions: Combined ECT and pharmacotherapy results in a more rapid response in acutely-ill patients. Raising the dose of the stimulus faster the response to ECT.