전기경련치료가 치료저항성 조현병 환자의 치료에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 기존의 약물치료에 저항성을 보이는 조현병 환자에게 전기경련치료를 시행하였을 때 주목할 만한 효과를 나타낸다는 것을 보여준다. 전기경련치료에 대한 반응과 관련이있는 요인에 대하여 알아보기 위하여 나이, 성별, 유병기간, 복용한 항정신병약물에 대하여 비교해 보았으나 모두 관련이없는 것으로 보고되었다. 또한 본 연구는 전기경련치료를 받은 환자들의 효과 지속성에 대하여 연구하였고 그 효과의 지속성은 상당히 높았다. 향후 전기경련치료의 효과와 안정성, 치료 반응 예측인자에대한 보다 많은 대상자를 포함한 체계적인 연구가 활발히 시행된다면 전기경련치료가 지금보다 더욱 조현병 환자의 치료에 유용한 주요 생물학적 치료도구가 될 수 있을 것이다. Objectives This study analyzes the effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) by predicting the factors contributing to the effectiveness of ECT and evaluating the persistency of ECT effect in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Methods Using retrospective review of the charts of 24 schizophrenic inpatients who were admitted to Busan Paik Hospital between March 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. We compared the pre-ECT Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores and post-ECT CGI scores among these patients. We evaluated the differences in the ECT responses by sex, age, duration of illness and dose of antipsychotic agents, and investigated the rate of continuation of out-patient treatment and readmission, and the change of the CGI score for 12 months after the ECT. Results ECT resulted in an overall clinical improvement as measured on the CGI scale. 15 (62.50%) patients were good responders, while 9 (37.50%) were poor responders. There was no significant difference between sex, age, duration of the illness, and dose of antipsychotics taken by the patient before the ECT. 21 (87.50%) patients continuously visited the outpatient department for 12 month, and 14 (66.67%) of them maintained the ECT effect with medical treatment only and without readmission. Conclusion This study showed that the ECT could be a useful treatment option for schizophrenic patients who are resistant to antipsychotics. KCI Citation Count: 1