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Acute electroconvulsive therapy in the elderly with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: A case series
Author(s) -
Kumagaya David Yoshihito
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
asia‐pacific psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1758-5872
pISSN - 1758-5864
DOI - 10.1111/appy.12361
Subject(s) - schizoaffective disorder , electroconvulsive therapy , clozapine , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychiatry , antipsychotic , adverse effect , medicine , psychosis , pediatrics , psychology
There is a paucity of evidence regarding the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the elderly with primary psychotic conditions, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This study examined the efficacy and safety of acute ECT treatment in late‐life patients with primary psychotic conditions. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients aged 60 and above, who received ECT within a large metropolitan psychiatric facility in Australia between 2012 and 2018, and who were diagnosed with a primary psychotic condition. Information regarding demographic data, illness correlates, ECT treatment, treatment outcomes, and adverse effects was collected. Results A total of 20 patients met inclusion into the study, 35% of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia and 65% with schizoaffective disorder. The average age was 69 years. Patients had been trialed on an average of seven distinct antipsychotic agents prior to acute ECT treatment; 50% had been trialed on clozapine. ECT was associated with full (60%) or partial remission (35%) of psychotic illness in 95% (n = 19) of patients. No ECT‐related fatalities were encountered. Adverse effects were experienced in 20% of patients, although none precluded the continuation of treatment. Discussion This study found ECT to be a highly effective and safe treatment in the elderly with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, who had not responded adequately to psychotropic medications.