Acute electroconvulsive therapy in the elderly with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: a literature review

Delirium on clozapine: A tale of friend turned foe-A case report

Treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is often encountered in clinical practice. Clozapine remains the drug of choice in the management of TRS. Several studies have shown that clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic medication to date for TRS. But it is also well known that it has multiple side effects. Some side effects are transient and relatively benign, while other adverse effects are menacing, serious and life-threatening. Delirium may occur with clozapine and is a therapeutic challenge as there is always a risk of precipitating delirium on clozapine rechallenge. Limited management strategies are available as alternatives for the management of psychiatric illness stabilized on clozapine. In this case report, we describe an older adult patient who developed delirium on clozapine. The aims of this case report are to discuss the mechanism by which clozapine leads to delirium, revisit various factors which could possibly lead to delirium, and discuss the different management strategies available for management of psychiatric illness for a patient previously stabilized on clozapine.

Ageing with schizophrenia: an update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review was to summarize the recent literature on the clinical symptoms, functioning, outcomes and treatments for older adults with chronic schizophrenia.

RECENT FINDINGS

The number and proportion of older adults with schizophrenia is rapidly increasing. Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder and older adults with schizophrenia display significant variability in symptom severity, quality of life and overall outcomes. Many achieve stable disease remission, some display persistent nonremission and others experience fluctuating symptoms. Depression is commonly reported, and although rates of suicide are higher when compared with age-matched peers, the excess mortality seen in this population is mainly attributed to natural causes of death. Cognitive decline and reduced illness awareness have important implications for functional status and quality of life. Antipsychotics remain essential in the treatment regimen, although elderly patients with chronic disease may be good candidates for gradual dose reduction. Interdisciplinary treatment approaches as well as nonpharmacologic psychosocial interventions play a critical adjunctive role in the treatment of older adults with schizophrenia.

SUMMARY

Research focusing on schizophrenia in late life is sparse. Too often, older patients are eliminated from research studies or averaged in with all age groups. Thus, there continues to be gaps in our understanding of modifiable predictors of remission and recovery, and the most efficacious and safest treatment approaches for this age group.

Acute electroconvulsive therapy in the elderly with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: A case series

INTRODUCTION

There is a paucity of evidence regarding the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the elderly with primary psychotic conditions, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This study examined the efficacy and safety of acute ECT treatment in late-life patients with primary psychotic conditions.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients aged 60 and above, who received ECT within a large metropolitan psychiatric facility in Australia between 2012 and 2018, and who were diagnosed with a primary psychotic condition. Information regarding demographic data, illness correlates, ECT treatment, treatment outcomes, and adverse effects was collected.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients met inclusion into the study, 35% of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia and 65% with schizoaffective disorder. The average age was 69 years. Patients had been trialed on an average of seven distinct antipsychotic agents prior to acute ECT treatment; 50% had been trialed on clozapine. ECT was associated with full (60%) or partial remission (35%) of psychotic illness in 95% (n = 19) of patients. No ECT-related fatalities were encountered. Adverse effects were experienced in 20% of patients, although none precluded the continuation of treatment.

DISCUSSION

This study found ECT to be a highly effective and safe treatment in the elderly with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, who had not responded adequately to psychotropic medications.