Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic
Background: There is currently no published evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of subanaesthetic doses of ketamine, when administered intravenously as an adjunct treatment for depressive symptoms, in a real world setting in South Africa. Aim: This retrospective chart review reports...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-02-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2176 |
| _version_ | 1797289286021677056 |
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| author | Vidette M. Juby Saaeda Paruk Mitsuaki Tomita Bonga Chiliza |
| author_facet | Vidette M. Juby Saaeda Paruk Mitsuaki Tomita Bonga Chiliza |
| author_sort | Vidette M. Juby |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: There is currently no published evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of subanaesthetic doses of ketamine, when administered intravenously as an adjunct treatment for depressive symptoms, in a real world setting in South Africa.
Aim: This retrospective chart review reports the clinical response (change in Patient Health Questionnaire – 7 score) to an initial infusion series of ketamine added to usual treatment, and the pattern of its subsequent maintenance use, for depressive symptoms.
Setting: A private ketamine clinic in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal.
Methods: The medical records of all patients who attended a private ketamine clinic between August 2019 and 31 May 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Depression symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) administered immediately before and 24 h after each treatment. Response was defined as a score decrease of more than 50%.
Results: Among the 154 patients who received ketamine infusions for depression, 67 completed a six infusion initial series, with a response rate of 60.6% and remission rate of 32.4%. Of the 154, 50% no longer experienced any suicidal ideation after treatment and adverse events were uncommon, with 6.2% of infusions requiring intervention for adverse events, mostly nausea. In addition, 48.5% of those who completed the initial series continued to receive maintenance infusions, with no evidence of escalating use or abuse.
Conclusion: Incorporating intravenous ketamine into the existing treatment regimens at a private clinic was associated with reduced acuteness of depression severity and suicidal ideation. This approach appeared safe and tolerable, showing no signs of abuse or dependence.
Contribution: This is the first known naturalistic study reporting on ketamine use for depressive symptoms in South Africa. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:01:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c80d25cce92c43e3bfe5a479174fcdf8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1608-9685 2078-6786 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:01:43Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-c80d25cce92c43e3bfe5a479174fcdf82024-03-01T13:28:25ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Psychiatry1608-96852078-67862024-02-01300e1e710.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2176695Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinicVidette M. Juby0Saaeda Paruk1Mitsuaki Tomita2Bonga Chiliza3Discipline of Psychiatry, College of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDiscipline of Psychiatry, College of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDiscipline of Psychiatry, College of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDiscipline of Psychiatry, College of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanBackground: There is currently no published evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of subanaesthetic doses of ketamine, when administered intravenously as an adjunct treatment for depressive symptoms, in a real world setting in South Africa. Aim: This retrospective chart review reports the clinical response (change in Patient Health Questionnaire – 7 score) to an initial infusion series of ketamine added to usual treatment, and the pattern of its subsequent maintenance use, for depressive symptoms. Setting: A private ketamine clinic in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: The medical records of all patients who attended a private ketamine clinic between August 2019 and 31 May 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Depression symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) administered immediately before and 24 h after each treatment. Response was defined as a score decrease of more than 50%. Results: Among the 154 patients who received ketamine infusions for depression, 67 completed a six infusion initial series, with a response rate of 60.6% and remission rate of 32.4%. Of the 154, 50% no longer experienced any suicidal ideation after treatment and adverse events were uncommon, with 6.2% of infusions requiring intervention for adverse events, mostly nausea. In addition, 48.5% of those who completed the initial series continued to receive maintenance infusions, with no evidence of escalating use or abuse. Conclusion: Incorporating intravenous ketamine into the existing treatment regimens at a private clinic was associated with reduced acuteness of depression severity and suicidal ideation. This approach appeared safe and tolerable, showing no signs of abuse or dependence. Contribution: This is the first known naturalistic study reporting on ketamine use for depressive symptoms in South Africa.https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2176ketamineintravenousinductionmaintenancemajor depression |
| spellingShingle | Vidette M. Juby Saaeda Paruk Mitsuaki Tomita Bonga Chiliza Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic South African Journal of Psychiatry ketamine intravenous induction maintenance major depression |
| title | Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic |
| title_full | Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic |
| title_fullStr | Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic |
| title_short | Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic |
| title_sort | ketamine for depressive symptoms a retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic |
| topic | ketamine intravenous induction maintenance major depression |
| url | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2176 |
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