Clinical outcome of patients with psychiatric illness following Electroconvulsive therapy in a teaching hospital in Kathmandu

Abstract

Introduction: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective procedure used for treatment of variety of psychiatric illness. In spite of its proven efficacy ECT is underutilized due to stigma and prejudice attached to it among patients, their families and even among mental health service providers. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients diagnosed with psychiatric illness following electroconvulsive therapy.

Methods: This is a retrospective hospital based study of patients who underwent electroconvulsive therapy at department of Psychiatry and Mental health, Tribhuvan University Teaching hospital during 1 year duration. Pre-ECT and Post-ECT BPRS and GAF were obtained and the data were analyzed subsequently.

Results: A total of 39 patients underwent Electroconvulsive therapy during the study period. There were 16 males and 23 females. Among all cases receiving ECT, mean BPRS scores at the time of admission and discharge were 74.41±9.61 and 47.31±7.27 respectively whereas mean GAF scores at the time of admission and discharge were 20.21±6.03 and 57.95±11.05 respectively. The most common diagnosis for which ECT was used was Schizophrenia 14(35.89%). All patients showed statistically significant functional and symptomatic improvement except those with organic psychosis (GAF p<0.05 and BPRS p<0.05).

Conclusions: ECT is found to be effective in the treatment of patient diagnosed with various psychiatric illnesses.