Electroconvulsive Therapy Before or After Initiation of Clozapine in Schizophrenia- A Retrospective Comparison for Seizure Parameters, Treatment Response and Duration of Hospitalization

Purpose: Determining whether adjunctive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) with clozapine leads to better treatment response and fewer days in hospital for patients schizophrenia. Methods: Medical records of schizophrenia who were treated ECT-clozapine combination our women’s mental health clinic a period 5 years (between 01.02.2014 01.02.2019) investigated retrospectively. Clinical Global Impression Improvement (CGI-I) scale was used assessing response. Results: Of the 191 cases ECT, there 8 ECT concomitant (C-ECT) 14 before initiation (ECT-B). Number sessions duration seizures not significantly different both groups (p > 0.05). There good mild (CGI-I score 2 3) 75% (n=6) C-ECT 85.7% (n=12) ECT-B. Mean CGI-I scores between two Duration hospitalization group (37.7  14.44 days) shorter than ECT-B (56.0 19.2 = 0.04). No serious adverse events observed during or index hospitalizations Conclusion: Response rate high similar procedures no major complication significant increase effects.