Retrospective controlled study of inpatient ECT: does it prevent suicide?
BACKGROUND
This study examined the use of ECT among inpatients who committed suicide at a provincial psychiatric hospital.


METHODS
A total of 45 psychiatric in-patients who committed suicide at a provincial psychiatric hospital were compared with a gender, age and admission diagnosis matched group of 45 hospitalized patients to examine the use of electroconvulsive therapy during the last 3 months of hospitalization.


RESULTS
No difference in the utilization of ECT was found in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Retrospective design and small sample size.


CONCLUSIONS
We failed to demonstrate that ECT had prevented suicide in hospitalized patients. Future prospective studies with large sample size are needed to further examine this question.
Sharma
V
V
Mood Disorders Unit, London Psychiatric Hospital, Ontario, Canada. vsharma@julian.uwo.ca
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092864:Suicide Prevention