Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic
South African Journal of Psychiatry
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic | |
| Creator | Juby, Vidette M. Paruk, Saaeda Tomita, Mitsuaki Chiliza, Bonga | |
| 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. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2024-02-19 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2176 | |
| Source | South African Journal of Psychiatry; Vol 30 (2024); 7 pages 2078-6786 1608-9685 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2176/3237
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2176/3238
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2176/3240
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2176/3241
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