The Effect of a Single Dose of Intravenous Ketamine on Suicidal Ideation: A Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis

Samuel T Wilkinson, Elizabeth D Ballard, Michael H Bloch, Sanjay J Mathew, James W Murrough, Adriana Feder, Peter Sos, Gang Wang, Carlos A Zarate Jr, Gerard Sanacora, Samuel T Wilkinson, Elizabeth D Ballard, Michael H Bloch, Sanjay J Mathew, James W Murrough, Adriana Feder, Peter Sos, Gang Wang, Carlos A Zarate Jr, Gerard Sanacora

Abstract

Objective: Suicide is a public health crisis with limited treatment options. The authors conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis examining the effects of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation.

Method: Individual participant data were obtained from 10 of 11 identified comparison intervention studies that used either saline or midazolam as a control treatment. The analysis included only participants who had suicidal ideation at baseline (N=167). A one-stage, individual participant data, meta-analytic procedure was employed using a mixed-effects, multilevel, general linear model. The primary outcome measures were the suicide items from clinician-administered (the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] or the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HAM-D]) and self-report scales (the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report [QIDS-SR] or the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), obtained for up to 1 week after ketamine administration.

Results: Ketamine rapidly (within 1 day) reduced suicidal ideation significantly on both the clinician-administered and self-report outcome measures. Effect sizes were moderate to large (Cohen's d=0.48-0.85) at all time points after dosing. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated that compared with control treatments, ketamine had significant benefits on the individual suicide items of the MADRS, the HAM-D, and the QIDS-SR but not the BDI. Ketamine's effect on suicidal ideation remained significant after adjusting for concurrent changes in severity of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: Ketamine rapidly reduced suicidal thoughts, within 1 day and for up to 1 week in depressed patients with suicidal ideation. Ketamine's effects on suicidal ideation were partially independent of its effects on mood, although subsequent trials in transdiagnostic samples are required to confirm that ketamine exerts a specific effect on suicidal ideation. Additional research on ketamine's long-term safety and its efficacy in reducing suicide risk is needed before clinical implementation.

Keywords: Ketamine; Mood Disorders-Bipolar; Mood Disorders-Unipolar; Rapid-Acting Antidepressants; Suicide.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A flowchart depicting the procedure for selecting eligible trials from identified references.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies) adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined clinician-reported, converted to Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) units (N=167, k=8, chi-square=50.6, p

Figure 2

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 2

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 2
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies) adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined clinician-reported, converted to Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) units (N=167, k=8, chi-square=50.6, p

Figure 2

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 2

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 2
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies) adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined clinician-reported, converted to Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) units (N=167, k=8, chi-square=50.6, p

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal…

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A)…

Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal…

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A)…

Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p
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Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies) adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined clinician-reported, converted to Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) units (N=167, k=8, chi-square=50.6, p

Figure 2

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 2

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 2
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies) adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined clinician-reported, converted to Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) units (N=167, k=8, chi-square=50.6, p

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal…

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A)…

Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal…

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A)…

Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p
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Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies) adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined clinician-reported, converted to Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) units (N=167, k=8, chi-square=50.6, p

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal…

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A)…

Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal…

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A)…

Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p
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Figure 3
Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal…

Figure 3

Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A)…

Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p
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Figure 3
Figure 3
Proportion of subjects without suicidal ideation at each time point post-dose using (A) clinician-reported outcome measures (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)) and (B) self-reported outcome measures (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) or Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)); *p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p
All figures (9)
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Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p
All figures (9)
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Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose…

Figure 4

Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel,…

Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p
All figures (9)
Comment in
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Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation. Means from multilevel, mixed effects, general linear model (subjects nested within studies), adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation and between-study effects. Outcomes are: (A) combined self-reported scale scores (N=144, k=8, chi-square=45.5, p
All figures (9)

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