Jefferson Psychiatry Chair Quoted in Story on Electroconvulsive Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression
A new University of Michigan Medical School study notes that third-line electroconvulsive therapy may be both effective and cost-effective for US patients with treatment-resistant depression. “The study raises the importance of earlier identification of patients who do not respond to 'usual' treatment with pharmacotherapy/psychotherapy," said Michael Vergare, MD.
MDalert.com recently tapped Jefferson’s Michael Vergare, MD, for his expert opinion on a study noting that third-line electroconvulsive therapy may be both effective and cost-effective for US patients with treatment-resistant depression.
"The study is important because it took a unique, mathematical model to project response and costs based on six different strategies. It looks at a broad population and is able to show through modeling that while there are significant costs associated ECT, there are also costs -- financial and personal -- associated with prolonged pharmacotherapy/psychotherapy for those who do not respond," said Dr. Vergare, who is the Daniel Lieberman Professor and Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
"ECT for this subgroup was more effective and provided better relief of symptoms," he added.
Read the story on MDAlert.com to learn more from Dr. Vergare.
A new University of Michigan Medical School study notes that third-line electroconvulsive therapy may be both effective and cost-effective for US patients with treatment-resistant depression. “The study raises the importance of earlier identification of patients who do not respond to 'usual' treatment with pharmacotherapy/psychotherapy," said Michael Vergare, MD.
MDalert.com recently tapped Jefferson’s Michael Vergare, MD, for his expert opinion on a study noting that third-line electroconvulsive therapy may be both effective and cost-effective for US patients with treatment-resistant depression.
"The study is important because it took a unique, mathematical model to project response and costs based on six different strategies. It looks at a broad population and is able to show through modeling that while there are significant costs associated ECT, there are also costs -- financial and personal -- associated with prolonged pharmacotherapy/psychotherapy for those who do not respond," said Dr. Vergare, who is the Daniel Lieberman Professor and Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
"ECT for this subgroup was more effective and provided better relief of symptoms," he added.
Read the story on MDAlert.com to learn more from Dr. Vergare.