Intravenous Ketamine Treatment for Depression: One-year Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Psychiatry Center from India.
Ekta Yadav, Bheemsain Tekkalaki, Kavita P Gadadavar, Vishwas Yadawad, Sameeran S Chate, Sandeep Patil, Vinayak Koparde
Indian journal of psychological medicine April 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/02537176251334446 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractKetamine infusion therapy, when used alongside other treatments, rapidly reduces depression symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder. In a retrospective chart review of 28 patients at a tertiary care hospital, scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) dropped significantly after an average of 4.6 infusions. More than half of patients (53.6%) showed a therapeutic response—a 50% or greater decrease in HAMD scores—and 39.3% achieved remission, defined as a HAMD score below 7. Suicidal ideation substantially decreased in 71.4% of patients. The findings indicate that ketamine infusion therapy is a safe and effective rapidly acting adjunct treatment for depression.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Retrospective chart review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Patients with depression receiving ketamine infusion therapy at a tertiary care hospital |
| Intervention | Ketamine infusion therapy |
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Ketamine infusion therapy Suicidal ideation Depression therapy Ketamine therapy |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | Ketamine infusion therapy as an adjunct treatment significantly reduced depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in patients with major depressive disorder. |
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental health condition characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. The emergence of ketamine infusion therapy has provided a promising, rapidly acting treatment option. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of ketamine infusion therapy as an adjunct treatment in patients with depression and to study the patient's profile undergoing ketamine therapy in a real-world clinical setting. This was a retrospective chart review. A total of 28 patients with depression who received ketamine infusion therapy at a tertiary care hospital were included in this retrospective analysis. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) was utilized to assess depressive symptomatology. A statistically significant reduction in HAMD scores was observed post-treatment (P < .0001). Notably, 53.6% of patients achieved a therapeutic response (≥50% decrease in HAMD score), while 39.3% attained remission (HAMD score < 7) after an average of 4.6 ketamine infusions. Furthermore, a substantial decrease in suicidal ideation was observed in 71.4% of patients. The finding of this study indicates that ketamine infusion therapy is safe and effective as a rapidly acting adjunct treatment for depression.