Morteza Jafarinia1, Mohsen Afarideh2, Abbas Tafakhori3, Mohammad Arbabi2, Alireza Ghajar2, Ahmad Ali Noorbala1, Maryam Alamdar Saravi1, Elmira Agah3, Shahin Akhondzadeh4. 1. Psychosomatic Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. Iranian Center of Neurological research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: s.akhond@neda.net.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Ketamine is a glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist capable of exerting antidepressive effects in single or repeated intravenous infusions. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and the efficacy of oral ketamine vs. diclofenac monotherapy in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate depression among patients with chronic pain. METHODS: This study is a 6-week, randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group trial with two intervention arms (ketamine, fixed daily dosage of 150mg vs. diclofenac, fixed daily dosage of 150mg). Twenty participants in each arm completed the trial program all of whom had two post-baseline measurements at week 3 and week 6. Reduction in depression symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the hospital anxiety and depression subscale for depression (HADSDepression) scores at baseline and week 3 and week 6 post-intervention. RESULTS: Significantly lower HDRS scores were observed in the ketamine treatment group as early as 6 weeks post-intervention (P=0.008). By comparison, mean (±standard deviation) HADS depression subscale scores were significantly lower for individuals receiving ketamine compared to diclofenac for both post-baseline measures at week 3 (6.95±1.47 vs. 8.40±1.6, P=0.005) and week 6 (6.20±1.15 vs. 7.35±1.18, p=0.003). LIMITATIONS: The limitations of the present study were its small sample size and the short-term follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS:Oral ketamine appears to be a safe and effective option in improving depressive symptoms of patients with chronic pain with mild-to-moderate depression.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Ketamine is a glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist capable of exerting antidepressive effects in single or repeated intravenous infusions. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and the efficacy of oral ketamine vs. diclofenac monotherapy in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate depression among patients with chronic pain. METHODS: This study is a 6-week, randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group trial with two intervention arms (ketamine, fixed daily dosage of 150mg vs. diclofenac, fixed daily dosage of 150mg). Twenty participants in each arm completed the trial program all of whom had two post-baseline measurements at week 3 and week 6. Reduction in depression symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the hospital anxiety and depression subscale for depression (HADSDepression) scores at baseline and week 3 and week 6 post-intervention. RESULTS: Significantly lower HDRS scores were observed in the ketamine treatment group as early as 6 weeks post-intervention (P=0.008). By comparison, mean (±standard deviation) HADS depression subscale scores were significantly lower for individuals receiving ketamine compared to diclofenac for both post-baseline measures at week 3 (6.95±1.47 vs. 8.40±1.6, P=0.005) and week 6 (6.20±1.15 vs. 7.35±1.18, p=0.003). LIMITATIONS: The limitations of the present study were its small sample size and the short-term follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Oral ketamine appears to be a safe and effective option in improving depressive symptoms of patients with chronic pain with mild-to-moderate depression.
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Authors: Steven P Cohen; Anuj Bhatia; Asokumar Buvanendran; Eric S Schwenk; Ajay D Wasan; Robert W Hurley; Eugene R Viscusi; Samer Narouze; Fred N Davis; Elspeth C Ritchie; Timothy R Lubenow; William M Hooten Journal: Reg Anesth Pain Med Date: 2018-07 Impact factor: 6.288