Development of the Ketamine Side Effect Tool (KSET).

BACKGROUND: Currently, no specific, systematic assessment tool for the monitoring and reporting of ketamine-related side effects exists. Our aim was to develop a comprehensive Ketamine Side Effect Tool (KSET) to capture acute and longer-term side effects associated with repeated ketamine treatments. METHODS: Informed by systematic review data and clinical research, we drafted a list of the most commonly reported side effects. Face and content validation were obtained via feedback from collaborators with expertise in psychiatry and anaesthetics, clinical trial piloting and a modified Delphi Technique involving ten international experts. RESULTS: The final version consisted of four forms that collect information at time points: screening, baseline, immediately after a single treatment, and longer-term follow-up. Instructions were developed to guide users and promote consistent utilisation. LIMITATIONS: Further evaluation of feasibility, construct validity and reliability is required, and is planned across multiple international sites. CONCLUSIONS: The structured Ketamine Side Effect Tool (KSET) was developed, with confirmation of content and face validity via a Delphi consensus process. This tool is timely, given the paucity of data regarding ketamine's safety, tolerability and abuse potential over the longer term, and its recent adoption internationally as a clinical treatment for depression. Although based on data from depression studies, the KSET has potential applicability for ketamine (or derivatives) used in other medical disorders, including chronic pain. We recommend its utilisation for both research and clinical scenarios, including data registries.

Cognitive and Behavioral Differentiation of Those With Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.

The current study sought to identify features offering differentiation of borderline personality disorder (BPD) from bipolar disorder (BP). Participants were clinically assessed and assigned diagnoses based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. A 113-item self-report questionnaire was completed, comprising cognitive and behavioral constructs weighted to a borderline personality style. A total of n = 53 participants were assigned to BPD, n = 83 to BP, with comorbid participants excluded. Twenty items were highly endorsed (>95%) by the BPD group, with most of the features capturing emotional dysregulation (ED) and identity disturbance; however, many items were also highly endorsed by the participants with BP. Thirty-eight items offered differentiation of BPD from BP, with identity disturbance overrepresented. The study findings indicate that the transdiagnostic nature of ED (a feature of both conditions) means it is less useful for diagnostic decisions, whereas identity disturbance is both intrinsic to BPD and offers specificity in differentiation from BP.