An Evaluation of the Clinical and Economic Burden Among Older Adult Medicare-Covered Beneficiaries With Treatment-Resistant Depression.

•What is the primary question addressed by this study?○This retrospective study aimed to establish whether the clinical and economic burden of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) among Medicare-insured older adult patients (aged ≥65 years) is greater than that of similar patients with non-TRD major depressive disorder (non-TRD MDD) and also older adult patients without MDD.•What is the main finding of this study?○During the 12-month study period, older adult patients with TRD had higher usage of different antidepressants and antipsychotics, as well as greater healthcare resource utilization, including more frequent emergency room visits and inpatient stays as compared to both patients with non-TRD MDD and patients without MDD. Additionally, overall healthcare costs were significantly higher in patients with TRD.•What is the meaning of the finding?○The burden of TRD among older adult Medicare beneficiaries is substantial—even greater than non-TRD MDD—and therefore represents a significant unmet need in this group; more effective treatments are urgently needed.