Comparison Of The Response Of ECT In Treatment Resistant Unipolar And Bipolar Depression

Rameshwar S Manhas; Angli Manhas; Gaurav S Manhas; Mohammad M Dar; Jagdish R Thappa; Rukhsana Akhter; Rishabh Sharma

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2019

Comparison Of The Response Of ECT In Treatment Resistant Unipolar And Bipolar Depression

Rameshwar S Manhas, Angli Manhas, Gaurav S Manhas, Mohammad M Dar, Jagdish R Thappa, Rukhsana Akhter, Rishabh Sharma

Abstract :

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the modern psychiatric armamentarium in the hands of psychiatrists for the treatment for severe and treatment–resistant depression. Aims: To compare the response of ECT in treatment resistant unipolar and bipolar depression. Materials & Methods: The present study was a comparative, prospective study which was conducted on 40 patients of treatment resistant unipolar and bipolar depression at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Kashmir– Centre of excellence, Kashmir over a period of one year and two months. The patients were assessed by Montogomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)11 one day before the start of the ECT course, one day after last ECT, at 3 months follow up and at 6 month follow up. Results: There were 75% patients of unipolar depression and 25% patients of bipolar depression. The mean age of studied patients was 41.2 (± 12.06). 52.5% were males and 47.5% were females. The mean number of ECT’s received were 8.52(±2.19). The difference between the mean MADRS score of unipolar and bipolar depression before the start of ECT course, at end of the ECT course, at 3 and 6 months after the ECT course were 0.1, 2.3, 2.48 and 2.62 respectively which were non significant. Conclusion: There is no difference in response of ECT among the treatment resistant unipolar and bipolar depression patients. Patients with treatment resistant bipolar depression can be treated with ECT with results similar to treatment resistant unipolar depression