title: Patients who break their fast before ECT.
abstract: Of 81 patients receiving ECT during a period of 24 months, 21 ate or drank something, against medical advice, shortly before ECT was due. Compared with controls, the fast-breakers were less often married; were more likely to be detained under a section of the Mental Health Act; had an unfavourable view of ECT; and had often not given consent for ECT. Fast-breaking was more likely to occur after four or more ECTs. Amongst the fast-breakers there was a significant correlation between age and number of previous ECTs; treatment at which the fast-break occurred. The more drugs the patient was taking the more likely it was that the fast would be broken early in the course of ECT.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005215:Fasting / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies