Electroconvulsive therapy does not increase the risk of dementia in patients with affective disorders

Commentary on: Osler M, Rozing MP, Christensen GT, et al. Electroconvulsive therapy and risk of dementia in patients with affective disorders: a cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry 2018;5:348–56.

What is already known on this topic

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe depressive disorders, with older age being predictive of a better outcome. Two earlier small studies have suggested an increased prevalence of dementia in patients having received ECT, but were flawed by major methodological shortcomings. Recent data on both short-term and long-term impact of ECT on cognitive function in older patients are reassuring,1 even in the presence of age-related brain changes.2

Methods of the study

In this Danish cohort study,3 almost 170 000 people aged 10 years and older that had a first-time emergency department contact or in- or outpatient hospital contact for depression between 2005 and 2015 were included.

Patients were followed up, for a median…

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