Maintenance ECT in intractable manic-depressive disorders.
Twenty-two patients suffering from intractable recurrent unipolar or bipolar mood disorders were enrolled in a maintenance-ECT protocol (ECT-M) for more than 18 months, with a treatment at approximately monthly intervals. Eleven have continued treatment for > 2 years. Whereas 44% of the year had been spent in the hospital with at least three episodes a year prior to ECT-M, only 7% of the year was spent in the hospital during ECT-M with only one relapse every 16 months requiring admission (p < 0.001). Forty-five percent of the patients were in full remission and 27% in partial remission according to DSM-III-R criteria. ECT-M responsiveness of rapid-cyclers and delusional depressed patients usually drug refractory has been very encouraging with full or partial remission for 100% of rapid-cyclers and 80% of delusional depressed patients.
Service Hospitalo Universitaire de Santé Mentale et de Thérapeutique, Paris V René Descartes University, France.
J M
JM
Vanelle
H
H
Loo
A
A
Galinowski
W
W
de Carvalho
M C
MC
Bourdel
P
P
Brochier
O
O
Bouvet
T
T
Brochier
J P
JP
Olie
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003702:Delusions / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D002220:Carbamazepine; D008094:Lithium