Premium
The safety and efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in patients over age 75
Author(s) -
Gormley Niall,
Cullen Con,
Walters Liam,
Philpot Michael,
Lawlor Brian
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(1998120)13:12<871::aid-gps887>3.0.co;2-k
Subject(s) - electroconvulsive therapy , hypomania , medicine , confusion , adverse effect , retrospective cohort study , depression (economics) , pediatrics , psychiatry , bipolar disorder , surgery , mania , psychology , lithium (medication) , cognition , psychoanalysis , economics , macroeconomics
Objectives . To examine the safety and efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients over the age of 75 years. Method . Retrospective study of all patients over 75 years treated with ECT in three hospitals between 1995 and 1997. Results . Ninety‐three ECT courses were administered during the study period. Ten patients (10.8%) suffered complications following ECT. The most common adverse events were prolonged confusion and hypomania, all of which resolved within 2 weeks of the cessation of treatment. Eighty‐five per cent of patients made a marked or moderate response to treatment. Conclusions . ECT is a relatively safe and effective procedure in patients over age 75. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.