⚡ Quick Summary
A multicentric Italian study, known as REAL-ESKperience, evaluated patient experiences with intranasal esketamine (ESK-NS) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The findings revealed that 88.4% of participants reported an enhanced quality of life, with significant improvements in mood and suicidal thoughts.
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Participants: 236 outpatients with TRD (55.1% females, average age 54.1 years)
- 📝 Survey Duration: Patients treated with ESK-NS for at least three consecutive months
- 📈 Satisfaction Levels: 10.2% unsatisfied, 19.1% partially satisfied, 44.4% satisfied, 26.3% very satisfied
- 🤖 Analysis Tool: OpenAI used for categorizing open-ended responses
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 🌟 Positive Perception: Most patients had a favorable view of ESK-NS treatment.
- 💬 Significant Benefits: Early improvements in mood and reduced suicidal thoughts were highlighted.
- 📈 Functional Gains: Improvements were noted across all domains of functioning.
- 🧠 Personal Growth: Many patients reported experiences of personal growth and a desire for tailored treatment approaches.
- 🔍 Insights into TRD: Patient-reported experiences shed light on various psychopathological dimensions.
- 📊 Quality of Life: 88.4% of participants reported an enhanced quality of life.
- 🗣️ Treatment Personalization: Integrating patient perspectives could improve adherence and satisfaction.
📚 Background
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a significant challenge in mental health, affecting a substantial number of individuals. Traditional treatments often fall short, leading to the exploration of innovative therapies. Esketamine nasal spray (ESK-NS) has emerged as a promising option, showing efficacy in clinical trials and real-world settings. However, understanding the patient’s perspective on this treatment is crucial for optimizing care.
🗒️ Study
The REAL-ESKperience study was conducted across multiple centers in Italy, focusing on the experiences of patients with TRD who were treated with ESK-NS. A self-report survey was administered to gather data on patient satisfaction, perceived therapeutic effects, and overall experiences with the treatment.
📈 Results
The results indicated that a significant majority of participants, specifically 88.4%, reported an enhanced quality of life. Notably, those classified as “very satisfied” experienced early improvements in mood, a reduction in suicidal thoughts, and functional gains across various life domains. The use of OpenAI to analyze open-ended responses revealed themes of personal growth and a desire for more personalized treatment approaches.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The findings from this study underscore the importance of integrating patient experiences into clinical practice. By understanding the perceived benefits and challenges of ESK-NS treatment, healthcare providers can tailor their approaches to better meet the needs of individuals with TRD. This could lead to improved adherence, satisfaction, and ultimately, better patient outcomes in mental health care.
🔮 Conclusion
The REAL-ESKperience study highlights the positive impact of intranasal esketamine on patients with treatment-resistant depression. With a significant percentage of participants reporting enhanced quality of life and functional improvements, this treatment option shows promise. Moving forward, incorporating patient perspectives into treatment plans could enhance the effectiveness of care and foster a more personalized approach to mental health.
💬 Your comments
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Patient Experience with Intranasal Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: Insights from a Multicentric Italian Study (REAL-ESKperience).
Abstract
Background. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a prevalent, high-burden disorder. Esketamine nasal spray (ESK-NS) has been approved for, T.R.D.; and efficacy has been observed in both clinical trials and real-world studies. However, observations integrating patients’ perspective on this treatment are limited. This multicentric Italian study explored experiences with ESK-NS in TRD patients, focusing on perceived therapeutic effects and overall satisfaction. Methods. A self-report survey was administered to 236 outpatients with TRD (55.1% females, 54.1 ± 14.1 years) treated with ESK-NS for at least three consecutive months within standard clinical care. Based on satisfaction levels, participants were classified as “unsatisfied” (10.2%), “partially satisfied” (19.1%), “satisfied” (44.4%), or “very satisfied” (26.3%), and compared for sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and feedback on perceived benefits. Artificial intelligence (OpenAI) served to categorize responses to an open-ended question. Results. Enhanced quality of life was reported by 88.4% of participants. Significant differences emerged in earliest self-perceived benefits, most relevant effects, and impact on global functioning across groups. Specifically, “very satisfied” patients described the following: early improvements in depressed mood, suicidal thoughts, and restlessness; decreased suicidal thoughts among the most significant effects; and functional gains across all domains. OpenAI identified experiences of personal growth and rediscovery and a desire for tailored settings and approaches as recurring topics. Conclusions. Most patients reported a positive perception of ESK-NS treatment. The most satisfied participants highlighted significant benefits to depressed mood, suicidal thoughts, and overall functioning. Patient-reported experiences offer insights into different psychopathological dimensions, including functional outcomes and quality of life. Integrating these perspectives into clinical practice might assist treatment personalization, improving patients’ adherence and satisfaction.
Author: [‘Di Nicola M’, ‘Pepe M’, “d’Andrea G”, ‘Marcelli I’, ‘Pettorruso M’, ‘Andriola I’, ‘Barlati S’, ‘Carminati M’, ‘Cattaneo CI’, ‘Clerici M’, ‘De Berardis D’, ‘De Filippis S’, “Dell’Osso B”, ‘Di Lorenzo G’, ‘Maina G’, ‘Manchia M’, ‘Marcatili M’, ‘Martiadis V’, ‘Niolu C’, ‘Petralia A’, ‘Rosso G’, ‘Serafini G’, ‘Signorelli MS’, ‘Vannucchi T’, ‘Vismara M’, ‘Zanardi R’, ‘Vita A’, ‘Sani G’, ‘Martinotti G’, ‘Real-ESKperience Study Group’]
Journal: J Pers Med
Citation: Di Nicola M, et al. Patient Experience with Intranasal Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: Insights from a Multicentric Italian Study (REAL-ESKperience). Patient Experience with Intranasal Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: Insights from a Multicentric Italian Study (REAL-ESKperience). 2025; 15:(unknown pages). doi: 10.3390/jpm15040161