The perspectives of patients with depression toward esketamine, and the influence of their medication adherence on their viewpoints: a Saudi cross-sectional study.
Ahmad H Almadani, Ayedh H Alghamdi, Fahad B Alfahad, Abdullah S Alibrahim, Abdulrahman I Binbakhit, Ziyad B Alenazi, Lama M Alruwaili, Abdulrahman A Alshahwan, Abdullah K Muhnna, Mohammed A Aljaffer
Frontiers in psychiatry January 1, 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1678119 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a survey of 283 adults with depression, about half (52.3%) were willing to receive nasal esketamine, and 51.2% preferred its weekly or biweekly dosing over daily antidepressants. However, 79.5% cited cost as a barrier, and major concerns included medication unavailability (59.7%), fear of addiction (50.5%), anticipated stigma (24.4%), and first-month dosing frequency (21.2%). Notably, 77.4% were nonadherent to their current psychiatric medication. Adherence was higher among those who had previously used esketamine and among those who had someone to stay with them during and after treatment. The findings underscore the need for patient education, family involvement, and logistical support to address barriers and improve acceptance.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 283 |
| Population | Adults with depression |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine |
| Keywords | Saudi arabia Perspectives Medication adherence challenges |
| Key finding | 52.3% of participants were willing to receive esketamine, but 79.5% reported cost as a potential barrier, and 77.4% were nonadherent to their current medication regimen. |
Abstract
Nasal esketamine has demonstrated efficacy in the management of treatment-resistant depression and psychiatric emergency due to major depression. This study investigates acceptance and awareness of esketamine as a depression treatment option, focusing on factors that influence patients' acceptance, including adherence to current medication regimens, regardless of prior esketamine exposure. This cross-sectional study surveyed 283 adults with depression using a questionnaire and the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS-10). 52.3% of participants were willing to receive esketamine, and 51.2% preferred its weekly or biweekly dosing over daily antidepressants; 79.5% reported cost as a potential barrier. Common concerns included medication unavailability (59.7%), fear of addiction (50.5%), anticipated stigma (24.4%), and first-month dosing frequency (21.2%). Regarding adherence, 77.4% were nonadherent to their current psychiatric medication regimen. Adherence to the current regimen was higher among patients with previous esketamine use (p <.001) and among those who had someone to stay with them during and after treatment (p = .047). Patients are open to esketamine but have concerns that must be addressed. It also highlights non-adherence as a significant issue in patients with depression. These findings highlight the importance of patients' education, family involvement, and logistical supports.