Electroconvulsive therapy, depression, and cognitive outcomes: an Australian audit.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to compare cognitive and other outcomes of 2 groups of mood disorder patients, those who received ECT and those who did not, from 2 private South Australian hospitals during a 12-month period.


METHODS
Patients were assessed at admission and discharge from hospital on 2 validated instruments: the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) and an abbreviated version of the Short-Form 36-item Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36).


RESULTS
Patient scores on the majority of subscales of both the HoNOS and SF-36 indicated a positive response to either ECT or non-ECT. There was no significant difference in HoNOS depression score between the ECT and non-ECT groups upon discharge, despite the ECT group being significantly more depressed at admission. Cognitive functioning of those who received ECT did not change significantly from admission to discharge. However, they did not share the significant improvement in cognitive functioning of those depressed persons who had non-ECT treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
ECT treatment of depression was not associated with a deterioration of cognitive functioning.
Fisher
Laura J
LJ
The Adelaide Clinic, Gilberton, South Australia. fisher1@ramsayhealth.com.au
Goldney
Robert D
RD
Furze
Peter F
PF
Williams
Jody L
JL
Mattner
June
J
McCleave
David J
DJ
D001315:Australia; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires