Esketamine and Quality of Life Improvement in Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients

Dec 8, 2025Journal of clinical psychopharmacology

Esketamine and Quality of Life Improvements in People with Hard-to-Treat Depression

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Abstract

Esketamine therapy may improve quality of life for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

In a study with 18 patients, significant improvements in quality of life and functioning were noted over 6 months.
Scores on the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Sheehan Disability Scale, and Personal and Social Performance Scale improved at 1, 3, and 6 months.
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores decreased from an average of 39.2 at baseline to 15.9 by 6 months.
Statistical correlations were found between improvements in depression scores and quality of life after 6 months.
Patients with treatment-resistant depression may experience meaningful benefits from esketamine combined with an oral antidepressant.

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PURPOSE: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a common phenomenon and a considerable clinical challenge; recently, esketamine in conjunction with an oral antidepressant (AD) has emerged as a potential treatment for TRD. Several studies have shown the efficacy of esketamine in improving depressive symptoms. This prospective study aims to explore the long-term effects of esketamine therapy on subjective quality of life (QoL) and general status of adults with TRD.

METHODS: The study was an observational, prospective and multicenter study comprising a total of 18 TRD patients treated with Esketamine-Nasal Spray ESK-NS. Anamnestic data and psychometric assessments were collected at baseline (T0) and at follow-ups at 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months (T3).

RESULTS: Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q-SF), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) showed a statistically significant amelioration in QoL and functioning for all 3 scales, with progressive improvements at 1, 3, and 6 months. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores decreased from a baseline score of 39.2 to 28.7 on T1, 20.9 on T2, and 15.9 on T3, respectively. Correlation analyses showed statistical significance between changes at 6 months between MADRS and QLES and between MADRS and SDS, but not between MADRS and PSP.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in QoL was observed among patients with TRD treated with ESK-NS; ESK-NS in combination with an oral AD appears to offer meaningful benefit as a treatment option for patients with TRD who generally have substantial QoL and functioning limitations as a result of their depressive illness.

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Esketamine and Quality of Life Improvement in Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients

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