Retrospective data analysis to determine the effectiveness of intravenous ketamine therapy on patients suffering from depression with suicidal ideation
Pradhyuman Chaudhary, Prathmesh Shah, Prakash Mehta
Industrial Psychiatry Journal 2023 DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_231_21 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective data analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients suffering from depression with suicidal ideation |
| Intervention | Intravenous ketamine therapy |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key points | Intravenous ketamine therapy significantly improved depression and suicidality at all evaluation points. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Depression is often a debilitating and recurrent psychiatric disorder. Depression with suicidal ideation, being a psychiatric emergency, often needs intensive intervention such as Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT). ECT may be refused because of stigma and perceived risk. Intravenous ketamine therapy, being an alternative to ECT for quick response compared to routine pharmaco-therapy, is analyzed to determine its effectiveness.
Methods: Among patients suffering from depression with suicidal ideation, intravenous ketamine therapy is routinely offered as an alternative to ECT to the needy in the Department of Psychiatry affiliated with a teaching institute. There is a standard operative procedure laid down for ketamine therapy. Baseline and periodical assessment of depression by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and suicidality by Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale is a part of it. Taking advantage of it, retrospective data analysis was done to determine the effectiveness of the therapy.
Result: Significant improvement of depression and suicidality found at all the evaluation points after intravenous ketamine therapy.
Conclusion: Intravenous ketamine therapy is an effective alternative to ECT among patients suffering from depression with suicidal ideation.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on ketamine for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concomitant BDNF and sleep slow wave changes indicate ketamine-induced plasticity in major depressive disorder Patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder | 2012 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
| Altered peripheral immune profiles in treatment-resistant depression: response to ketamine and prediction of treatment outcome Healthy controls and actively depressed patients with treatment-resistant depression... | 2017 | Observational cohort | n = 59 |
| Clinical Predictors of Ketamine Response in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Treatment-resistant inpatients with DSM-IV-TR-diagnosed major depressive disorder or... | 2014 | Post hoc analysis of pooled data from four studies | n = 108 |
| An investigation of amino-acid neurotransmitters as potential predictors of clinical improvement to ketamine in depression Drug-free patients with major depressive disorder | 2011 | Observational cohort | n = 14 |
| Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression Drug-free/naïve men with severe depression, no history of psychotic disorder, head... | 2019 | Observational cohort | n = 25 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Effects of Different Anesthesia Applications on Mood, Depression, and Anxiety Levels in Burn Patients. Journal of Burn Care & Research November 14, 2024
- Innovative Approaches to Depression Therapy: The Antidepressant Efficacy and Mechanisms of General Anesthetics. Current Neuropharmacology April 16, 2026
- The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), ketamine, and esketamine in reducing suicidality in major depressive disorder: A comprehensive narrative review Psychiatry Research February 19, 2026
- A Systematic Review of Methodological Approaches in Indian Studies Evaluating Effectiveness of Ketamine Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders: Recommendations for Future Research Annals of Indian Psychiatry August 22, 2025
Cites 19
- A Randomized Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 2006
- Antidepressant Efficacy of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Two-Site Randomized Controlled Trial American Journal of Psychiatry August 28, 2013
- The effect of a single dose of intravenous ketamine on suicidal ideation: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis American Journal of Psychiatry October 3, 2017
- Rapid Resolution of Suicidal Ideation After a Single Infusion of anN-Methyl-D-Aspartate Antagonist in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry July 13, 2010
- Ketamine for rapid reduction of suicidal thoughts in major depression: a midazolam-controlled randomized clinical trial American Journal of Psychiatry December 5, 2017
and 14 more in the library