Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in older adults is common and debilitating. TRD is typically defined as clinical depression that persists despite 2 trials (courses) of different antidepressants. For TRD, augmentation (adding another medication) and switching (replacing with another medication from a different class) antidepressants are the most common strategies, but their relative benefits and risks in older adults are unknown. The Optimizing Outcomes of Treatment-Resistant Depression in Older Adults (OPTIMUM) study sought to close this evidence gap.
