Release Date: 2002
Summary of Recommendations / Supporting Documents
Rating: B recommendation.
Rationale: The USPSTF found good evidence that screening improves the accurate identification of depressed patients in primary care settings and that treatment of depressed adults identified in primary care settings decreases clinical morbidity. Trials that have directly evaluated the effect of screening on clinical outcomes have shown mixed results. Small benefits have been observed in studies that simply feed back screening results to clinicians. Larger benefits have been observed in studies in which the communication of screening results is coordinated with effective followup and treatment. The USPSTF concluded the benefits of screening are likely to outweigh any potential harms.
Rating: I Recommendation.
Rationale: The USPSTF found limited evidence on the accuracy and reliability of screening tests in children and adolescents and limited evidence on the effectiveness of therapy in children and adolescents identified in primary care settings.
Screening for Depression, 2002
Recommendations and Rationale (PDF File, 77 KB)
Summary of the Evidence (PDF File, 136 KB)
Systematic Evidence Review (File Download; PDF Files Download)
What's New (PDF File, 78 KB)
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U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)