ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY (ECT): CORRELATION OF AGE, GENDER, AND DIAGNOSIS AMONG PATIENTS IN A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL QUETTA

Background: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is an established psychiatric intervention used for treatment-resistant mental illnesses. In regions like Balochistan, where mental health literacy is low and stigma is high, studying the demographic trends of ECT usage provides valuable insight into local mental health practices. Objective: To explore the correlation of age, gender, and psychiatric diagnosis among patients receiving ECT at a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Quetta, Balochistan. Methods: A retrospective review of 137 adult patient records from 2024 was conducted. Data was collected from the Balochistan Institute of psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences BIPBS ECT unit records, with ethical clearance and departmental permission. Variables analyzed included age, gender, diagnosis, and patient type (new vs. old). Results: The majority of patients were aged 18–35. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were more commonly diagnosed in males, while depression was nearly equally represented in both genders. A higher number of male patients were repeat (old) cases. The gender-diagnosis correlation was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), but observable trends were consistent with existing literature in some areas. Conclusion: While the correlation between age, gender, and diagnosis was not statistically significant, the study highlights important patterns in ECT utilization. These findings underscore the need for larger, prospective studies to better understand demographic and diagnostic trends in psychiatric care in Balochistan.