Maintenance electroconvulsive therapy in affective and schizoaffective disorder.
Twenty-one patients (13 depressives and 8 schizoaffectives) who underwent maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (M-ECT) were compared with controls who received maintenance pharmacotherapy alone. Measures of effectiveness and safety of maintenance treatment were prospectively obtained during a 1-year follow-up. Survival analysis demonstrated a significantly better outcome defined by time to rehospitalization for all patients of the M-ECT group. Regarding the subgroups, depressives of the M-ECT group had markedly decreased rehospitalization rates compared to depressive controls. Furthermore, M-ECT in depressives resulted in a significant reduction in hospitalization rates and duration during follow-up. In schizoaffective patients, a significant difference in survival time was found in favor of the M-ECT group. In both groups, schizoaffectives had a markedly poorer outcome compared to depressive subjects. Our results indicate that in selected patients M-ECT, at least in combination with supporting medication, may be an efficient and safe alternative to pharmacological continuation or maintenance therapy alone.
Swoboda
E
E
Department of Psychiatry I, Landeskrankenhaus Rankweil, Austria.
Conca
A
A
König
P
P
Waanders
R
R
Hansen
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents