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 lithi um/ECT treatment were compared with a control group (ECT only) of 135 cases matched for age and sex. Results. Most cases in both groups had no adverse effects. Three (10%) study group subjects and 15 (11%) cont rols experienced brief delirium. Three controls and none of the subjec ts developed a prolonged confusion. There were no significant differen ces in the profile of other adverse effects between the two groups. Co nclusion. Prescription of lithium together with ECT was not associated with higher frequency of adverse effects.