TEMPORAL TRENDS IN THE USE OF ECT IN EUROPE
Ignacio Vera 1, Ernesto Verdura 2, Javier Sanz-Fuentenebro 3
IntroductionECT is an effective and safe treatment for severe psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorders, bipolar mania and depression and acute exacerbations of schizophrenia according to clinical guidelines. However, an overall decline in the use of ECT utilization has been reported worldwide and concerns have been raised that ECT is being underused in some countries.
Objectives and AimsTo describe temporal trends in ECT utilization rates in european countries
MethodsA systematic review was conducted of studies which reported on ECT temporal trends in european countries in the last 25 years
Results
ConclusionsThere had been a decrease in the useof ECT in recent years in Europe. However, recent publications suggest that its use may be stabilizing or even rebounding.