NEGATIVE INTERACTION BETWEEN LITHIUM AND ELECTROCONVULSIVE-THERAPY - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Background. Concurrent use of lithium and ECT is suspected to increase neurotoxicity. Method. A retrospective case-control study over an eig ht-year period was conducted to investigate the adverse effects of a c ombined lithium/ECT treatment Thirty-one subjects with combined lithiu m/ECT treatment were compared with a control group (ECT only) of 135 c ases matched for age and sex. Results. Most cases in both groups had n o adverse effects. Three (10%) study group subjects and 15 (11%) contr ols experienced brief delirium. Three controls and none of the subject s developed a prolonged confusion. There were no significant differenc es in the profile of other adverse effects between the two groups. Con clusion. Prescription of lithium together with ECT was not associated with higher frequency of adverse effects.