Table 3.
Characteristics and Quality of ECT Use (N = 4,126)a
| Variable | Values |
|---|---|
| Initiated ECT as inpatient | 2,938 (71.2) |
| Had additional outpatient ECT follow-up | 1,449 (49.3) |
| Had no outpatient ECT | 1,489 (50.7) |
| Initiated ECT as outpatient | 1,188 (28.8) |
| Received < 5 total ECT sessions | 1,390 (33.7) |
| Received < 5 total ECT sessions within 30 days | 1,179/1,390 (84.8) |
|
| |
| Characterization of index course (N = 2,493) | |
| Had at least 1 index course of ECT | 2,493 (60.4) |
| No. of ECT sessions per index course, mean (SD) | 8.46 (3.11) |
| No. of ECT sessions per index course, median (IQR) | 8 (6–10) |
| Days of index course, mean (SD) | 22.59 (9.05) |
|
| |
| Characterization of C/M course (N = 840) | |
| Had C/M course of ECT following an index course | 840/2,493 (33.7) |
| No. of ECT sessions of C/M course, mean (SD) | 4.19 (4.10) |
| No. of ECT sessions of C/M course, median (IQR) | 3 (2–5) |
|
| |
| Post-ECT follow-up care following first index course (N = 2,493) | |
| Had C/M course following first index course | 705/2,493 (28.3) |
| Prescribed new psychotropicb with antidepressant properties at initiation of or within 30 days following completion of first index course | 1,092/2,493 (43.8) |
| New antidepressant | 763/2,493 (30.6) |
| New mood stabilizer | 133/2,493 (5.3) |
| New antipsychotic | 613/2,493 (24.6) |
| Had some form of post-ECT follow-up treatment following first index coursec | 1,518/2,493 (60.9) |
Values expressed as N (%) or n/N (%) unless otherwise noted. For analysis of these characteristics and quality measures, to avoid truncation we did not include individuals who received their first ECT in January–June 2014 or November–December 2015.
We included antidepressants (except trazodone), mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics.
This is defined as having a continuation/maintenance ECT course or starting a new psychotropic medication with antidepressant properties (antidepressant, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotic) within 30 days of the last session of an index course of ECT.
Abbreviations: C/M = continuation/maintenance, ECT = electroconvulsive therapy, IQR = interquartile range, SD = standard deviation.