Short communication, Note

ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY PRACTICE IN SERBIA TODAY

Zeljko Spiric ; Clinic for Psychiatry, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, Belgrade, Serbia
Zvezdana Stojanovic ; Clinic for Psychiatry, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
Radomir Samardzic ; Clinic for Psychiatry, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, Belgrade, Serbia
Srdjan Milovanović ; School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia; Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
Gábor Gazdag ; Center for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, Szent István and Szent László Hospitals, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Nadja P. Marić orcid.org/0000-0002-7051-853X ; School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia; Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

This is the first survey of the practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the Republic of Serbia. A retrospective chart review
was undertaken including all patients having received ECT in Serbia in 2012. Only one center in Serbia offered ECT in 2012 to a
total of 54 patients (54% women). Thirty-six (36) patients received acute ECT treatment and eighteen (18) patients maintenance
ECT, yielding a ECT utilization rate of 0.05/100.000 population. ECT was delivered with a modern square-wave (brief pulse)
machine with EEG and ECG monitoring. In all cases the electrode placement was bifrontal and treatment modified (with
anesthesia). The most frequent indication was recurrent depressive disorder (66.7%) for both acute and maintenance treatment. The
limited availability of ECT in Serbia raises serious concerns. Provision of updated and effective treatment modalities for severe
psychiatric disorders is crucial and the need for additional ECT services in Serbia is urgent.

Keywords

electroconvulsive therapy – ECT – Serbia – survey - brief pulse - major depressive disorder

Hrčak ID:

162034

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/162034

Publication date:

3.3.2014.

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