Long-Term Naturalistic Follow-Up of Patients With Bipolar Depression and Mixed State Treated With Electroconvulsive Therapy

• DOI: 10.1097/yct.0b013e3182887b7a
• Publication Date: 2013-07-30T13:16:14Z
• Authors: Pierpaolo Medda; Mauro Mauri; Sara Fratta; Benedetta Ciaponi; Mario Miniati; Cristina Toni; Liliana Dell’Osso; Giulio Perugi
• Keywords: Depression

The aim of the present study was to evaluate long-term outcome in a sample patients with bipolar disorder severe depression or mixed-state resistant pharmacological treatment who have responded electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).The involved 36 major (5 I depression, and 14 II depression) mixed state (17 patients) treated bilateral ECT delivered using brief pulse stimulator Mecta 5000 Q on twice-a-week schedule. were evaluated before (baseline) 1 week after course (final score) Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Mania Brief Psychiatric Clinical Global Improvement. Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation administered every 16 weeks assess time relapse (defined as LIFE scores ≥5 for at least 2 consecutive need hospitalization) periods response remission.The mean duration follow-up 55.3 ± 30.4 (range, 24-160 weeks). Thirteen (36.1%) showed depressive during follow-up; (length) 20.4 21.8 2-60 Twenty-nine (80.5%) fulfilled criteria full remission from symptoms 6.7 7.9 last ECT. Seventeen (47.2%) more than 70% time. No manic episodes occurred follow-up, only patient had episode, 11 hypomanic episode.Electroconvulsive positive impact clinical treatment-resistant disorders, suggested by high number spent period. In our study, episode related early