Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Sudan, Probing Differences between Africa and the West

Abstract

It is a retrospective qualitative study of all patients that had received ECT treatment in Khartoum National Psychiatric Hospitals in the period between January 2010 and December 2010 with special reference to indications, side effects, and outcome using the same outcome criteria used by the royal college of Psychiatrists (UK) for modified audit format. 85% from 269 of overall Sudanese patients who had received ECT showed remarkable clinical response, with no major adverse side effects. Interestingly, the response rate was over 90% for patients with mania spectrum diagnosis. 85% of our patients were under the age of 40. Two thirds of the patients, who received ECT, were male. The main indication for ECT (45%) was mania, while depression and mixed affective states constituted less than 25% of the sample. Conclusion: In comparison to the West, ECT plays a major role in the treatment of mania and manic spectrum disorders in Africa.