The use of ECT in the treatment of psychiatric disorders in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Objectives : To determine the clinical use of ECT in treatment of diffet·ent psychiatric disorders at KKUH.

Design : A retrospective clinical study of all inpatients given ECT over a ten years period.

Setting: Psychiatric Unit at King Khalid University Hospital, (KKLH).

Subjects : One hundred and twenty seven inpatients, 51 males and 76 females given ECT.

J\1easm·es: Data collection form for demographic characteristics and clinical pat·ameters and global improvement scale.

ResuJts : Usage ratios ·was 5.0 % and female to male ratio 1..5: I inspite nearly equal total admissions for both sexes.

ECT was used primarily in more than 75% of cases for affective disorder and in 68.5% of cases, the indication was no t'esponse to medication.

Seventy five percent of cases sho"ved good or marked improvement, but 79% of non-responders were schizophrenic.

The common age group given ECT was 19-30 years.

Interpretations : This study shows a shift in clinical use over time in developing countries of ECT from schizophrenia to be mainly used fo•· affective disorders.

J\-Jore females are given ECT could be due to cultural emphasis on stigma in psychiatrically ill females.

Conclusion : Our results comply with recommendations set by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the American Psvchiah·ic Association for ECT clinical use.

ECT is a valuable and safe " treatment modality in psychiatry that shouJd be mainly used in affective disorders and selectively i.n schizophrenia.