This longitudinal study (n=71) examines five years of real-world clinical data on the use of IV low-dose ketamine alongside standard care for outpatients with depression (MDD & TRD). Results indicate a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and suicide ideation by treatment endpoint, with 55% of patients responding to treatment. Side effects were transient and mild for 78% of patients, with a dropout rate of 11%. Multivariate analysis suggests that demographic variables did not impact treatment efficacy or tolerability.
Abstract of IV low dose ketamine infusions for treatment resistant depression: Results from a five-year study at a free public clinic in an academic hospital
“Individuals with major depressive disorder and treatment resistant depression (MDD-TRD) have limited and sometimes poorly tolerated therapeutic options. Low dose ketamine has presented promising and potent antidepressant effects in this population. To support the existent literature, we conducted a longitudinal study examining five years of real-world clinical data on the use of IV low-dose ketamine alongside standard care for MDD-TRD outpatients. For this study we collected demographic information, clinical scale scores, side effects and dropout data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, effect size using Cohen’s D analysis, and multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) to determine the impact of sociodemographic variables. 71 outpatients (50.28 years old, SD: 14.26; female 74.65%) were included in the analysis. The results showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and suicide ideation (SI) by treatment endpoint. 54.93% of patients responded to the treatment, 78.26% experienced transient and mild side effects, and 11.27% of dropped out of the treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that the demographic variables did not impact treatment effect or tolerability. The results of this study suggest that IV low dose ketamine treatment is effective, fast-acting, and well tolerated for the management of depressive symptoms and SI in patients with MDD-TRD in naturalistic clinical practice.”
Authors: Gilmar Gutierrez, Melody J. Y. Kang & Gustavo Vazquez
Summary of IV low dose ketamine infusions for treatment resistant depression: Results from a five-year study at a free public clinic in an academic hospital
Introduction
Depression is one of the global leading causes of disability, reduced quality of life, and productivity. IV low dose ketamine has demonstrated rapid and potent reduction of depressive symptoms, and has been recommended for use in clinical practice by the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments.
Recent systematic reviews and meta-analysis have shown that low dose ketamine is effective for managing depressive symptoms in patients with transdiagnostic treatment resistance, and improving specific depressive domains that are commonly reported by individual with TRD.
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115865
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Cite this paper (APA)
Gutierrez, G., Kang, M. J., & Vazquez, G. (2024). IV low dose ketamine infusions for treatment resistant depression: Results from a five-year study at a free public clinic in an academic hospital. Psychiatry Research, 115865.
Study details
Compounds studied
Ketamine
Topics studied
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Depression
Study characteristics
Observational
Open-Label
Longitudinal
Follow-up
Participants
71
Humans