Predictors of readmission after successful electroconvulsive therapy for depression: a chart review study

Objective: The study aimed to identify the predictors for readmission after a successful electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) course.

Methods: Medical charts of patients who received ECT for major depressive episodes were reviewed. Patients’ demographic characteristics and treatment parameters, such as ECT charge, seizure duration, the number of ECT sessions and pharmacotherapy, were extracted. We compared differences between those who were readmitted after successful ECT within 6 and 12 months, versus those not readmitted. We also conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the predictors for readmission.

Results: Out of 51 patients who were discharged after ECT, 27 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Eight patients were readmitted within 6 months after discharge, and four more patients were readmitted during the next 6-month follow up. Comparing patients who were and were not readmitted, we found no significant differences between groups, including ECT parameters such as the number of ECT sessions, average charge and final charge. No predictors for readmission were found through multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: Although patients who require higher ECT charge and more sessions seem to be prone to readmission, our dataset suggested that none of these types of ECT parameters were risk factors for readmission.