USPSTF: Screen all adults aged younger than 65 years for anxiety

Key takeaways

• The United States Preventive Services Task Force released a draft recommendation statement that says all adults aged younger than 65 years should be screened for anxiety.
• The task force also called for more research on screening for anxiety in those aged 65 years and older and screening for suicide risk.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force has released a historic draft recommendation statement, advocating for screening adults aged younger than 65 years for anxiety.

In addition, the task force said it continues to recommend screening all adults for depression. Both statements are B-grade recommendations, according to a press release.

The USPSTF also considered the benefits and harms of screening for suicide risk in all adults, but there was not enough evidence to make a recommendation (I statement).

“To address the critical need for supporting the mental health of adults in primary care, the Task Force reviewed the evidence on screening for anxiety, depression, and suicide risk,” task force member Lori Pbert, PhD, a professor in the department of population and quantitative health sciences, associate chief of the division of preventive and behavioral medicine, and founder and director of the Center for Tobacco Treatment Research and Training at the UMass Chan Medical School, said in the release. “The good news is that screening all adults for depression, including those who are pregnant and postpartum, and screening adults younger than 65 for anxiety can help identify these conditions early so people can be connected to care.”

Screening and treatment can help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression for most adults, according to the release, but “the task force recognizes that screening is only the first step in helping adults with anxiety and depression.”

The USPSTF noted that after diagnosis, health care providers should help patients identify the treatment that is best for them and continue to monitor their well-being to ensure the treatment’s effectiveness.

The recommendations are only for those who do not present with signs and symptoms of anxiety or depression, according to the release, and “it is essential that health care professionals connect any individual who expresses concerns about anxiety, depression or suicide or reports symptoms of these conditions to appropriate care.”

Additionally, the USPSTF stated that there is not yet enough evidence to recommend anxiety screening in those aged older than 65 years, and that more research is “critically needed on the role of screening for suicide risk.”

“The task force cares deeply about the mental health of people nationwide. Unfortunately, evidence is limited on screening adults 65 or older for anxiety and screening all adults for suicide risk, so we are urgently calling for more research,” task force member Gbenga Ogedegbe, MD, MPH, the inaugural and founding director of the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity at NYU Langone Health, said in the release. “In the absence of evidence, health care professionals should use their judgment based on individual patient circumstances when determining whether or not to screen.”

The recommendation statement has been posted for public comments, which can be submitted here from Sept. 20 to Oct. 17.