Frequency of Complications after Electroconvulsive Treatment in Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of complications after electroconvulsive treatment in patients with schizophrenia. Study Design: Retrospective study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Psychiatry, Balochistan Institute of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences, Quetta 1st August 2020 to 31st March 2021. Methodology: One hundred and twenty patients of both genders were presented in this study. Patients were aged between 20-70years. Patient’s detailed demographics age, sex and mean body mass index were recorded after taking informed written consent. Patients of schizophrenia received electroconvulsive treatment. Frequency of immediate complications was observed after each session of electroconvulsive treatment and at the end of electroconvulsive treatment frequency of long term complications were observed. Results: Sixty five (54.17%) were males and 55 (45.83%) were females with mean age were 40.14±3.45 years and mean body mass index 22.14±6.12 kg/m2. Mean electroconvulsive treatment sessions was 88.13±6.87. Mean hospitalization stay was 3.4±2.04 weeks. Frequency of immediate complications were 25 (20.83%) among patients after electroconvulsive treatment session. Among 20.83%, frequency of body aches was 7 (8.83%), headache was in 11 (9.17%), frequency of transient amnesia was among 3 (2.5%) and hypertension was among 4 (3.33%). Significantly no any delay complications were observed in continuously sessions among enrolled cases. Conclusion: The use of electroconvulsive treatment sessions in patients of schizophrenia was effective because no any delay complications were observed in this treatment. Keywords: Schizophrenia, Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), Treatment sessions