There are wide global variations in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use patterns. This audit reviewed patient-level ECT use patterns over 10 years at a single New Zealand clinic, including factors associated with clinical response and patterns of repeated administration.

Retrospective audit of all 2003–2012 ECT and clinical file data.

A total of 199 patients received ECT, which was used to treat mostly affective disorders in a predominantly female, older population, generally with a single course of treatment. There were different demographics and patterns of ECT use between patients being treated for affective and psychotic disorders. Overall treatment response was high, with over 90% of patients having a full or partial response. Treatment response was not associated with diagnosis, gender, or medication use, but showed a trend in significance for greater response in elderly patients.

ECT use patterns in Otago New Zealand are similar to those reported in Australia, USA, and UK, although yearly use rate in Otago is lower. Because of their different demographic and ECT treatment patterns, future studies should report data for patients with affective and psychotic disorders separately.