Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2001):

[Electroconvulsive therapy effective and safe in 55 patients aged 56 years and older with mood disorders and physical comorbidity]

(Elektroconvulsietherapie effectief en veilig bij 55 patiënten van 56 jaar en ouder met stemmingsstoornissen en somatische comorbiditeit.)

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients aged 56 years and older with mood disorders who had failed to respond to pharmacotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive. METHOD: Demographic data, illness and treatment characteristics were registered for all patients (age > or = 56 years) treated with ECT in the period 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2000. The efficacy of ECT was evaluated with the 'Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale' (MADRS) and cognitive side effects were evaluated with the 'Mini-mental state examination' (MMSE). Descriptive statistical methods were used for the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 58 treatments were evaluated in 55 patients with a mean age of 73 years. Most patients had a recurrent depressive disorder with physical comorbidity that did not respond to pharmacotherapy. An average of 12 ECT sessions were given per treatment. In patients where a MADRS score was known before and after ECT, 74% exhibited a significant improvement and 48% reached a complete remission of the depression. Cognitive side effects occurred in 28% of the patients. No serious physical complications were reported. CONCLUSION: ECT is an essential means of intervention in treating mood disorders of the elderly and should be considered in an earlier phase, especially in patients with physical comorbidity.

Author information

Author/s: van Waarde, J A (JA); Stek, M L (ML);

Affiliation: Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg (GGZ) Buitenamstel, locatie Valeriuskliniek, Valeriusplein 9, 1075 BG Amsterdam.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd), published in Netherlands. (Language: dut)

Reference: 2001-Sep; vol 145 (issue 35) : pp 1693-7

Dates: Created 2001/09/19; Completed 2001/10/18; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11561488, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged Aged, 80 and over Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Cognition Disorders - etiology Comorbidity Electroconvulsive Therapy - adverse effects Female

Female Humans Male Middle Aged Mood Disorders - complications; therapy Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Remission Induction Retrospective Studies

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