CLINICAL PREDICTORS OF SEIZURE THRESHOLD IN BILATERAL ECT

Research on determinants of ECT seizure threshold is inadequate. In view of differences in ECT populations and confounding factors, there is a need for examining this in our population. Consecutive consenting inpatients (N=100), referred for bilateral (BL) ECT by treating psychiatrists at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Hospital, Bangalore, formed the sample for the study. Thiopentone, succinylcholine and atropine were used for modification. Seizure threshold (dependent variable) was determined by titration method at the first ECT. The independent variables were age, gender, diagnosis, illness severity (Clinical Global Impression; CGI), concurrent drugs, head circumference (HC) and inion-nasion distance (IND). Age, IND and CGI severity predicted seizure threshold in forward, stepwise, linear regression model.