Comparative study of effectiveness of augmentation with ECT in clozapine resistant schizophrenia (CRS) and non-clozapine resistant schizophrenia (Non-CRS). (2nd August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grover, Sandeep; Shouan, Anish; Chakrabarti, Subho; Sahoo, Swapnajeet; Mehra, Aseem
• Is Part Of: Nordic journal of psychiatry. Volume 75:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 397
• Page End: 405
• Publication Date: 2021-08-02
• Subjects: ECT -- schizophrenia -- clozapine resistance; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2021.1877349
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-9488

Abstract

Abstract: Background: There is limited evidence for different treatment strategies in patients with clozapine resistant schizophrenia (CRS). Aim: To determine the effectiveness of ECT in patients with clozapine resistant schizophrenia and compare the same with a group of patients with non-clozapine resistant schizophrenia, receiving ECT. Results: Out of a total of 68 patients with schizophrenia, 27 (38.66%) of patients had CRS. With 6 ECTs, there was a significant reduction in PANSS positive, negative, general psychopathology, prosocial score and depression symptoms in the CRS ( p < 0.001) and Non-CRS group ( p < 0.001), but no statistically significant difference was seen between the 2 groups in terms of proportion of patients showing >40% response on PANSS total score. The reduction in PANSS score of >40% in CRS group was seen in 48.1% of patients in the positive symptoms subscale, in 25.9% of patients in negative symptoms subscale, in 46.7% of cases in the general psychopathology subscale, in 44.4% of the patients in Depression subscale, in 29.6% of the patients in the modified prosocialsubscaleand in 29.6% of the patients in total PANSS score. Conclusion: ECT is an effective augmentation strategy for patients with CRS and it is as effective as when used in patients with non-CRS.