Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 January 2018
Of 81 patients receiving ECT during a period of 24 months, 21 ate or drank something, against medical advice, shortly before ECT was due. Compared with controls, the fast-breakers were less often married; were more likely to be detained under a section of the Mental Health Act; had an unfavourable view of ECT; and had often not given consent for ECT. Fast-breaking was more likely to occur after four or more ECTs. Amongst the fast-breakers there was a significant correlation between age and (a) number of previous ECTs; (b) treatment at which the fast-break occurred. The more drugs the patient was taking the more likely it was that the fast would be broken early in the course of ECT.
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