Pronounced Regional Variation in Esketamine and Ketamine Prescribing to US Medicaid Patients
Alexia G. Aguilar, Burke A. Beauregard, Christopher P. Conroy, Yashoda T. Khatiwoda, Shantia M. E. Horsford, Stephanie D. Nichols, Brian J. Piper
medRxiv Preprint Server April 23, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.23.22274206
Summary
Access to rapid-acting depression treatments like ketamine and esketamine, which don't increase suicide risk, differs greatly across the US. An analysis of Medicaid patient data uncovered pronounced regional variations in prescribing these beneficial therapies. This suggests significant geographic disparities in who receives these important, fast-acting interventions, despite their proven efficacy for treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Background Ketamine and esketamine are efficacious for treatment resistant depression. Unlike other antidepressants, ketamine and esketamine lack a therapeutic delay and do not increase risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young-adults. Esketamine gained FDA approval in March of 2019.