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Electroconvulsive therapy in children and adolescents : results from a population‑based study utilising the Swedish National Quality Register

Rask, Olof LU ; Nordenskjöld, Axel ; Johansson, Björn Axel LU and Movahed Rad, Pouya LU (2023) In European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 32. p.2649-2656
Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective and safe for adults with severe depression, but less studied in adolescents. Here, we examined the indications, prevalence, practice, response and remission rates, and side effects in young people treated with ECT in Sweden. We also examined the usage of ECT in the transition to adult psychiatry. Using data from national patient registers and the Swedish National Quality Register for ECT (Q-ECT), we identified patients aged up to 19 years treated with ECT over a 5-year study period. Response and remission rates were analysed using the Clinical Global Impression (7-point scale)-Improvement (CGI-I) and Severity (CGI-S). A total of 118 individuals were identified, of which 105 were also enrolled... (More)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective and safe for adults with severe depression, but less studied in adolescents. Here, we examined the indications, prevalence, practice, response and remission rates, and side effects in young people treated with ECT in Sweden. We also examined the usage of ECT in the transition to adult psychiatry. Using data from national patient registers and the Swedish National Quality Register for ECT (Q-ECT), we identified patients aged up to 19 years treated with ECT over a 5-year study period. Response and remission rates were analysed using the Clinical Global Impression (7-point scale)-Improvement (CGI-I) and Severity (CGI-S). A total of 118 individuals were identified, of which 105 were also enrolled in the Q-ECT. The most common indication for ECT was depression (68%; n = 80). Adolescents aged < 18 years were more severely ill before treatment than those aged 18 years (P < 0.01). Three of the hospitals in Sweden treated the majority of adolescents < 18 years old. The median number of sessions in each ECT series was seven. Unilateral placement of the electrodes was the most common (88%; n = 99). Fifty-seven percent (n = 54) of the patients responded (CGI-I, 1-2) to the treatment; remission (CGI-S, 1-2) was achieved by 32% (n = 30). Psychotic symptoms were associated with a higher response rate in patients with depression (P = 0.038). A deterioration of memory compared to pre-treatment was reported in six patients. ECT was associated with high response and remission rates in adolescents with severe psychiatric disorders after non-response to medication.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
volume
32
pages
2649 - 2656
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:85143906782
  • pmid:36513894
ISSN
1435-165X
DOI
10.1007/s00787-022-02123-2
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
© 2022. The Author(s).
id
171e9e8d-2f51-43f6-ba77-27e5235e3b48
date added to LUP
2022-12-17 14:06:46
date last changed
2024-04-18 12:14:14
@article{171e9e8d-2f51-43f6-ba77-27e5235e3b48,
  abstract     = {{<p>Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective and safe for adults with severe depression, but less studied in adolescents. Here, we examined the indications, prevalence, practice, response and remission rates, and side effects in young people treated with ECT in Sweden. We also examined the usage of ECT in the transition to adult psychiatry. Using data from national patient registers and the Swedish National Quality Register for ECT (Q-ECT), we identified patients aged up to 19 years treated with ECT over a 5-year study period. Response and remission rates were analysed using the Clinical Global Impression (7-point scale)-Improvement (CGI-I) and Severity (CGI-S). A total of 118 individuals were identified, of which 105 were also enrolled in the Q-ECT. The most common indication for ECT was depression (68%; n = 80). Adolescents aged &lt; 18 years were more severely ill before treatment than those aged 18 years (P &lt; 0.01). Three of the hospitals in Sweden treated the majority of adolescents &lt; 18 years old. The median number of sessions in each ECT series was seven. Unilateral placement of the electrodes was the most common (88%; n = 99). Fifty-seven percent (n = 54) of the patients responded (CGI-I, 1-2) to the treatment; remission (CGI-S, 1-2) was achieved by 32% (n = 30). Psychotic symptoms were associated with a higher response rate in patients with depression (P = 0.038). A deterioration of memory compared to pre-treatment was reported in six patients. ECT was associated with high response and remission rates in adolescents with severe psychiatric disorders after non-response to medication.</p>}},
  author       = {{Rask, Olof and Nordenskjöld, Axel and Johansson, Björn Axel and Movahed Rad, Pouya}},
  issn         = {{1435-165X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{2649--2656}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry}},
  title        = {{Electroconvulsive therapy in children and adolescents : results from a population‑based study utilising the Swedish National Quality Register}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00787-022-02123-2}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s00787-022-02123-2}},
  volume       = {{32}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}