Appetite measures during ketamine administration in treatment-resistant mood disorders: a naturalistic study

This study evaluated the acute and short-term effects of repeated ketamine treatment on appetite in adult inpatients with treatment-resistant mood disorders, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Appetite, hunger, and desire to eat were assessed using the Visual Analog Scales (VAS) and the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) at baseline and at multiple time points up to 7 days following ketamine administration. No significant changes were observed over the course of treatment, and results were consistent across diagnostic groups and body mass index (BMI) categories. No increased risk of appetite-related undernutrition or clinically relevant weight loss was identified. These findings do not suggest a substantial short-term impact of ketamine on appetite regulation or body weight and are consistent with a favorable metabolic safety profile, supporting its clinical use in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and treatment-resistant bipolar disorder (TRBD).