Prediction of response to ECT with routinely collected data in major depression.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the possibility to predict response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with major depression. The aim of this study is to create an index for the prediction of response to ECT in an individual patient.


METHODS
Fifty-three depressive patients referred for ECT were included. Poor response was defined as a decrease in Hamilton Rating Depression Scale less than 50%. With multivariable analyses a simple index of independent predictors was constructed.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients (58%) showed poor response. The index comprised age < 65 years, psychotic depression, refractory to antidepressant medication, and personality disorder. It discriminated poor response patients reasonably well with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.63-0.89).


CONCLUSIONS
Retrospective chart review, a relatively small study size and confining to the short-term response.


CONCLUSIONS
Response to ECT may be predicted using an index with four patient characteristics. Before implementation, however, validation of the index in future patients is mandatory.
de Vreede
Iris M
IM
University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Burger
Huibert
H
van Vliet
Irene M
IM
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003625:Data Collection; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011336:Probability; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents