Clinical experience with electroconvulsive therapy at the Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiatría

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a useful option for the treatment of certain psychiatric illnesses. Its efficacy and few side effects make it an important therapeutic alternative in the management of the patient with major depression. This study describes the clinical experience with ECT at the Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiatría. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical records of patients treated with ECT during the period of April 1990 to June 1994. A total of 55 patients were included in the analysis, the mean age was 42.4 +/- 17.2 years old. Diagnostic categories treated were major depression (43.6%), non-affective psychotic disorders (30.9%), mania (12.7%) and other diagnoses (12.7%). A positive response to ECT was found in 74.5% of patients. Subjects with major depression and mania responded significantly better than the rest of the patients (p < 0.01). Psychotic depression was not a predictor of better response. Only 18.1% of subjects had minor complications, all transitory. ECT is a highly effective therapeutic option in the treatment of psychiatric illness, especially in major depression and mania. The use of ECT in a tertiary psychiatric unit in Mexico reflects similar results as described in the international literature.