[Prediction of effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy in major depression with routinely collected data].
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the possibility to predict response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with major depression.


OBJECTIVE
To create an indexforthe prediction ofresponse 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
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
I M
IM
Reinier van Arkel groep.
Burger
H
H
van Vliet
I M
IM
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012372:ROC Curve; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents