Anxiety Screening : USPSTF recommendations for adults

Anxiety disorders rank among the most prevalent mental health conditions, frequently going unrecognized within primary care, which leads to significant delays in initiating treatment. Recognizing this gap, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) embarked on a systematic review aimed at assessing the benefits and harms associated with screening for anxiety disorders in asymptomatic adults. This initiative targets a broad demographic, encompassing adults aged 19 years and older, inclusive of pregnant and postpartum individuals, while also considering the specific category of older adults aged 65 years and over.

Through its evidence assessment, the USPSTF has determined, with moderate certainty, that screening for anxiety disorders in adults, including those who are pregnant and postpartum, yields a moderate net benefit. However, when it comes to older adults, the evidence at hand was found insufficient to conclusively determine the balance between benefits and harms associated with screening.

In light of these findings, the USPSTF has issued a recommendation advocating for the screening of anxiety disorders in adults, including pregnant and postpartum persons, assigning it a Grade B recommendation. Conversely, due to the lack of sufficient evidence, the Task Force has issued an I statement regarding the screening for anxiety disorders in older adults,...