Treatment-resistant depression and intranasal esketamine: Spanish clinical consensus on practical aspects


Por: Ramos-Quiroga J, Mora F, Arostegui S, Cardoner N, Etxeandia-Pradera J, Gómez-Juanes R, Gómez-Revuelta M, Montes J, Vieta E

Publicada: 1 jul 2025 Ahead of Print: 1 may 2025
Resumen:
Background: Pharmacological management of major depressive disorder has traditionally relied on antidepressants targeting the monoaminergic pathway. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patients have been frequently excluded from registrational trials, resulting in a lack of clear clinical recommendations for an optimised management. In recent years, treatments based on other mechanisms of action have been developed and approved. Intranasal esketamine is a novel non-monoaminergic treatment directed to improve neuroplasticity through the modulation of the glutamatergic system. In this clinical consensus we aimed to provide expert guidance on the use of intranasal esketamine for TRD patients based in our clinical practice in Spain. Methods: A scientific committee of nine psychiatrists, experts in TRD in Spain, reviewed the literature (grey literature and articles/scientific communications published in English or Spanish between January 2014 and January 2024 in PubMed). Statements on practical aspects of TRD management with intranasal esketamine were developed in a first meeting following a discussion group approach, refined in a second meeting with a nominal group technique, and finally drafted after consensus in a third meeting. Results: We recommend a treatment algorithm for the management of TRD with intranasal esketamine. Recommendations were made for specific clinical profiles with other psychiatric comorbidities, which are not contraindications, and for patients who do not have at least a 50 % reduction in symptoms during the first induction phase (partial responders at the end of an induction phase). Treatment should be given in the same health centre where the patient normally receives mental care. The patient's clinical progress will determine early optimisation of intranasal esketamine dose during the induction phase, the need for flexible doses/ repeating the induction treatment phase, customisation of management, and treatment duration. We described factors impacting the use of intranasal esketamine and made recommendations on the characteristics of the ideal setting for its administration. Socio-economic aspects of intranasal esketamine were reviewed. Conclusions: This is the first consensus developed in Spain regarding practical aspects of TRD management with intranasal esketamine, with a treatment algorithm for patients who are only partial responders at the end of the induction phase.

Filiaciones:
Ramos-Quiroga J:
 Hosp Univ Vall dHebron, Vall dHebron Barcelona Hosp Campus, Dept Mental Hlth, Catalonia, Spain

 Vall dHebron Res Inst VHIR, Grp Psychiat Mental Hlth & Addict, Catalonia, Spain

 Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Dept Psychiat & Forens Med, Catalonia, Spain

 Biomed Network Res Ctr Mental Hlth CIBERSAM, Catalonia, Spain

Mora F:
 Hosp Univ Infanta Leonor, Dept Psychiat & Mental Hlth, Madrid, Spain

 Univ Complutense Madrid, Dept Legal Med & Psychiat, Madrid, Spain

Arostegui S:
 Hosp Univ Donostia, San Sebastia, Spain

Cardoner N:
 Univ Autonoma Barcelona UAB, Hosp St Creu & St Pau HSCSP, Inst Recerca St Pau, CIBERSAM,Dept Psychiat & Legal Med,Mental Hlth Res, Campus Salut, Barcelona, Spain

Etxeandia-Pradera J:
 Hosp Clin Univ Valencia, Valencia, Spain

 Univ Valencia, Dept Med, Valencia, Spain

 Fdn Invest Hosp Clin Valencia INCL Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Gómez-Juanes R:
 Univ Balear Islands UIB, Son Espases Univ Hosp, Hlth Res Inst Balear Islands IdISBa, Dept Med, Balear Islands, Balear Islands, Spain

 Univ Balear Islands UIB, Son Espases Univ Hosp, Res Inst Hlth Sci IUNICS, Hlth Res Inst Balear Islands IdISBa, Balear Isl, Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Island, Spain

Gómez-Revuelta M:
 Univ Cantabria, Hosp Univ Marque Valdecilla, IDIVAL Res Fdn, Sch Med,Dept Psychiat, Santander, Spain

 Inst Salud Carlos III, Ctr Invest Red Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain

Montes J:
 Univ Alcala, Hosp Univ Ramo & Cajal, IRYCIS, Psychiat Dept, Madrid, Spain

Vieta E:
 Univ Barcelona UB, Hosp Clin Barcelona, Fac Med & Hlth Sci, Dept Med,Bipolar & Depress Disorders Unit, Catalonia, Spain

 Inst Invest Biomed August Pi Sunyer IDIBAPS, ,Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain

 Inst Salud Carlos III, Ctr Invest Biomed Red Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
ISSN: 02136163





EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
Editorial
Elsevier Espana, AV JOSEP TARRADELLAS, 20-30, 1ERA PLANTA, BARCELONA, CP-08029, SPAIN, España
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 39 Número: 3
Páginas:
WOS Id: 001487790700001
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