Researchers from various departments at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and other institutions found that 18% of patients with newly diagnosed depression develop treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which leads to an increased risk of mortality and higher healthcare costs. The study utilized Hong Kongs territory-wide longitudinal electronic medical records and followed patients diagnosed with depression in 2014 for up to six years. The findings suggest that early identification of TRD and clinical monitoring of post-TRD psychiatric conditions could help prevent premature mortality.