Survey of referrals to electroconvulsive therapy in Hungary.
BACKGROUND
The diagnostic distribution of patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Hungary is significantly different from that in Western Europe or the USA. In Hungary most of the treated patients are diagnosed with schizophrenia.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the practice of referring patients for ECT in Hungary.


METHODS
Questionnaires containing socio-demographic data were mailed to all Hungarian psychiatric units where ECT was used (n=34), and all of the psychiatrists working there were invited to participate. Respondents were asked to rate how often they considered ECT for various symptoms/syndromes on a five-point Likert Scale.


RESULTS
A total of 78 questionnaires were returned. Altogether, 89% of the respondents have referred patients to ECT, and 54.8% had done so in the last year. The respondents had most frequently recommended ECT for antipsychotic and antidepressant-resistant patients, catatonic symptoms, or patients with previous good treatment response to ECT.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the very high Hungarian suicide rate, the low referral rate in cases of severe suicidal intent and threat is surprising. The respondents also rarely considered ECT for NMS or severe depression. The discrepancy between current referral practices and standard recommendations could be decreased with more ECT training courses.
Gazdag
Gábor
G
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatric Service, Szt. László Hospital, Budapest, Hungary. gazdag@lamb.hu
Sebestyén
Gábor
G
Zsargó
Eszter
E
Tolna
Judit
J
Ungvari
Gábor Sándor
GS
D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires