Efficacy of ketamine in the rapid treatment of major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies

This meta-analysis (2016, 9 RCT studies, n=368) suggests ketamine is an effective short-term treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).

Abstract of Efficacy of ketamine in the rapid treatment of depression (MDD)

Background: An increasing number of studies are reporting that ketamine could be treated as a novel antidepressant for major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to comprehensively and systematically assess the efficacy of ketamine for treating patients with MDD.

Method: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on ketamine versus placebo for treating MDD were searched up to April 2016 in medical databases (PubMed, CCTR, Web of Science, Embase, CBM-disc, and CNKI). Three treatment time points (24 and 72 h, and day 7) were chosen. Response and remission rates were the main outcomes. The random effects model was used. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted.

Results: Nine high-quality studies that included 368 patients were selected to compare the efficacy of ketamine to placebo. The therapeutic effects of ketamine at 24 and 72 h, and day 7 were found to be significantly better than placebo. Response and remission rates in the ketamine group at 24 and 72 h, and day 7 were 52.2% and 20.6%; 47.9% and 23.8%; and 39.8% and 26.2%, respectively. No significant heterogeneity existed, and the Egger’s test showed no publication bias.

Conclusion: These results indicated that ketamine could yield a good efficacy in the rapid treatment of MDD. Future large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm our results and investigate the mid- and long-term efficacy of ketamine in treating MDD.”

Authors: Yu Han, Jianjun Chen, Dezhi Zou, Peng Zheng, Qi Li, Haiyang Wang, Pengfei Li, Xinyu Zhou, Yuqing Zhang, Yiyun Liu & Peng Xie

Summary of Efficacy of ketamine in the rapid treatment of depression (MDD)

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder associated with enormous public health costs and morbidity. There are still no objective laboratory tests to help clinicians diagnose MDD, and no existing antidepressants could treat MDD patients with a 100% response rate.

Ketamine is a medication used for starting and maintaining anaesthesia, but it has been found to have potential antidepressant effects. It has been found to have rapid antidepressant action in treating MDD, but more studies are needed to determine its optimal treatment method.

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Find this paper

Efficacy of ketamine in the rapid treatment of major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies

https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S117146

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Cite this paper (APA)

Han, Y., Chen, J., Zou, D., Zheng, P., Li, Q., Wang, H., ... & Xie, P. (2016). Efficacy of ketamine in the rapid treatment of major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 2859-2867.

Study details

Compounds studied
Ketamine

Topics studied
Depression

Study characteristics
Meta-Analysis

Participants
368

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