Clinical correlates of ECT-resistant depression in the elderly
Magni, G.; Fisman, M.; Helmes, E.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 49(10): 405-407
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-6689 PMID: 3170492 Document Number: 312968
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.