ECT in the medically ill elderly: a case report.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is well recognized as an effective treatment for depression. However, it is not often used among the elderly due to increased co-morbid medical problems and fear of complications. We present here the case of an 88-year-old man with a history of depression and co-morbid medical illness. This patient was successfully treated with ECT. With the population of individuals above the age of 65 expected to double in the next 40 years, the use of ECT to treat major depression and other psychiatric conditions among the elderly will likely increase.
Alao
Adekola O
AO
Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse 13210, USA. Kola.Alao@usa.net
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome