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Patients who break their fast before ECT
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|September 1, 1986
Summary
Patients who break their fast before electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are often unmarried, detained under the Mental Health Act, and have negative views on ECT. This behavior increases with more ECT sessions and concurrent medication use.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a common psychiatric treatment.
- Patient adherence to pre-ECT fasting protocols is crucial for safety.
- Factors influencing pre-ECT fasting compliance require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics of patients who do not adhere to pre-ECT fasting guidelines.
- To explore factors associated with breaking pre-ECT fasts.
- To understand the implications of fasting non-compliance in ECT patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 81 patients undergoing ECT over 24 months.
- Comparison of 'fast-breakers' (n=21) with controls who adhered to fasting.
- Statistical analysis of demographic, clinical, and treatment variables.
Main Results:
- Fast-breakers were less often married and more likely detained under the Mental Health Act.
- Unfavorable views of ECT and lack of consent were more common in fast-breakers.
- Fasting non-compliance increased after four or more ECT sessions.
- Higher medication load correlated with earlier fasting non-compliance.
Conclusions:
- Patient characteristics, treatment history, and medication influence adherence to pre-ECT fasting.
- Addressing patient views and consent may improve adherence.
- Further research into optimizing ECT protocols and patient education is warranted.