Clinical correlates of ECT-resistant depression in the elderly

Clinical findings in a group of 11 patients who failed to respond to at least one course of antidepressant (usually tricylic) treatment and at least seven bilateral electroconvulsive treatments (ECTs) were compared with the findings in a group of 19 patients with similar sociodemographic characteristics who were responsive to ECT. The major correlates of ECT nonresponse were onset of physical illness during the index episode, fewer life events preceding the onset of the index episode, and a higher frequency of preceding depressive episodes of longer duration in the nonresponder group.