Objective  To investigate the effect of etomidate combined with propofol on stress response and cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia treated by modified electric convulsive therapy.

  Methods  A total of 114 patients with schizophrenia were enrolled in the study, and were randomly divided into three groups: combined group(n=38), etomidate group(n=38) and propofol group(n=38). The combined group received general anesthesia with etomidate and propofol, the etomidate group underwent general anesthesia with etomidate, and the propofol group underwent general anesthesia with propofol. Stress response, cognitive function, adverse reactions and other indicators of three groups were compared.

  Results  After each electrical stimulation, the serum levels of epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE) and cortisol (Cor) in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the etomidate group and the propofol group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); after 12 times of treatments, the scores of language IQ, operation IQ, and IQ in the combined group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P < 0.05); the incidence of total adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting was 13.16% in the combined group, which was significantly lower than 36.84% in the etomidate group and 44.74% in the propofol group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

  Conclusion  Anesthesia with etomidate and propofol in combination can alleviate the stress response in patients with schizophrenia treated by modified electric convulsive therapy, reduce cognitive impairment caused by anesthetics, relieve pain and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions such as injection pain, nausea and vomiting.