The effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)‎ on the blood levels of glucose, sodium, potassium, and calcium selectionly in mentally ill patients

الملخص EN

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a tool in the treatment for a few numbers of severe mental illnesses.

It was used widely from 1930 s afterward to treat different types of psychiatric illnesses.

And nowadays is very much limited for very sever conditions.

Amnesiais reported as one of the post-ECT side effects associated with changes in certain electrolytes level especially serumcalcium(s.Ca+2) immediately after ECT and changes in blood brain permeability.

Likewise changes in serum potassium (S.K+2), sodium (S.Na+)&blood glucose (b.Glu.)levels in patients after ECT session were also reported.

ECT is also associated with CVS changes which again could reflect electrolytes change.

The aim of the study is to establish if there would be any alteration in the level of (s.ca+2),(S.K+2)and (b.Glu.)in psychiatric patients admitted to Basra General Hospital.This finding could highlight the possible harm effects of ECT especially in patients with cardiovascular system (CVS)& renal disorders and aware physicians about this possible harm effects of ECT.

The study was performed on 64 patients (31 male & 33 female) with averaged age of 45.5 years.

The standard bilateral method of ECT was used to treat those patients with all precautions to eliminate any associated side – effects of the procedure.

Blood samples were taken from all patients immediately pre- & post – ECT application, & were sent to the lab in Basra Hospital for(b.Glu.)& electrolytes analysis.

Statistical analysis of the results was performed using SPSS application.

There was a significant decrease in the values of(S.Na+),(S.K+2),&(b.Glu.) levels (P = 0.000) immediately after ECT exposure in the total number of patients with insignificant, decrease in the ( s.Ca+2)level (P = 0.067).

In addition, a gender wised analysis showed that in male patients, there were significant decline in ( b.Glu.), (S.Na+), (S.K+2), but, a significant increase in(s.Ca+2) level.

While in female patients, the same results were recorded for the ( b.Glu.), (S.Na+), &(S.K+2) with an insignificant increase in (s.Ca+2) level (P = 0.36).