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Suicidal ideation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) presents a critical challenge in mental health, with conventional antidepressants often having delayed onset. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the efficacy of ketamine in rapidly reducing acute suicidal ideation in this patient group. A comprehensive literature search up to June 2023 across PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase yielded 12 studies, including 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The evaluation of the impact of ketamine on Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale-Suicidal Ideation (MADRS-SI) scores was conducted using the standardized mean difference (SMD) through the Cohen’s d method for analysis. The assessment of risk of bias was executed utilizing the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB2). Subgroup assessments considered study period, geographic location, and follow-up duration. Ketamine administration showed a significant reduction in MADRS SI scores (mean difference, -1.16; 95% CI, -1.89, -0.23). Subgroup analysis revealed varying efficacy based on the study period, geographical location, and follow-up length. Intravenous ketamine demonstrated the most substantial reduction in suicidal thoughts. High heterogeneity among studies was observed. Ketamine offers a rapid and significant reduction in acute suicidal ideation in patients with MDD. It holds promise as an intervention during high-risk periods where conventional treatments are limited by slower onset. However, variability in study results and concerns over long-term safety necessitate further research to optimize treatment protocols and understand the implications of different administration routes. These findings have important implications for developing clinical guidelines in managing acute suicidal ideation in MDD.

Background: This study aimed to determine the global prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among men who have sex with men (MSM) as a systematic review, and meta-analysis. Methods: For this meta-analysis, a search in four international databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE) was designed, and performed. In the next step, the information extraction checklist was prepared based on the study authors’ opinions, and the quality of the articles was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) checklist. Data meta-analysis was performed using STATA16 software with a significance level below 0.05. Results: The results showed the prevalence of suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among MSM was 21% (95% CI 17%-26%), and 12% (95% CI 8%-17%), respectively. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of suicidal ideation in the population of MSM living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 40% (95% CI 35%–45%), and the prevalence of suicide attempts among MSM with HIV was 10% (95% CI 1%–27%). The prevalence of suicidal ideation in European MSM, and the prevalence of suicide attempts among American MSM were higher than other MSM in other geographical areas. Conclusion: Considering that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among these people is many times higher than that among men in the general population, developing programs for the prevention of mental disorders with special attention to suicide is necessary for these people. Screening programs are also recommended for early diagnosis and prevention of suicide among these people.

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in transgender and LGBT people and determine their pooled estimates worldwide. Methods: Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane, PsycInfo) were searched from April 2000 to July 2021. The analyses were executed using the random-effects model in Stata 16. Results: Ten studies, including eight studies on four transgender people and two studies on 2150 LGBTs, were included. The pooled prevalence of HCV and HBV in all transgender populations globally were 9% (95% CI 3–15%) and 11% (95% CI 2–20%), respectively. The corresponding prevalence in male-to-female transgender people were estimated as 5% (95% CI 1–9%) and 6% (95% CI 3–10%), respectively. These estimates in American transgenders were 10% (95% CI 5–25%) and 16% (95% CI 8–23%), respectively. Conclusion: This study was identified the overall prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in transgender people, which were higher than those in the general population.

The article presents a study which showed that a five-minute slow-stroke back massage prior to chemotherapy is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting among pediatric patients with acute leukemia. Also cited are the risk of bleeding and infection when using deep massage, acupressure and acupuncture, and the description of a slow-stroke back massage.