INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compare current data on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro to previous studies and related research in other countries. METHOD: Medical records of 69 patients who were submitted to ECT were analyzed from June 2005 to June 2007, evaluating the following categories: sex, age, diagnostic, indication and number of ECT sessions each patient received. In addition, subjective information about remission of symptoms was collected in the evolution of these patients. RESULTS: There was a preponderance of females (71%). Mean age of patients was 41.3 years (p = 13.7). The most frequent diagnoses were schizophrenia (49.3%) and bipolar disorder (27.5%). The most common indication was interpersonal violence, followed by suicide attempt and self-injury. Mean number of ECT sessions received by each patient was 8.2. In general there was remission of symptoms in the short term after using this method. CONCLUSION: Use of ECT at Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro is in agreement with the criteria and recommendations of the World Psychiatry Association and with the model used in other countries. There was general maintenance of the standards used for this treatment at Instituto de Psiquiatria. Furthermore, ECT proved to be a good method for remission of severe symptoms in the short term.
Electroconvulsive therapy; psychiatry; efficacy; epidemiology; treatment
