December 15, 2009

Screening for Depression Recommendations & Rationale

This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for depression, and updates the 1996 recommendation contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, Second Edition. The USPSTF recommends screening adults for depression in clinical practices that have systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up. USPSTF found good evidence that screening improves the accurate identification of depressed patients in primary care settings, but that benefits of regular screening are unlikely to occur unless patient support systems are in place and functioning well. USPSTF said there was insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routinely screening children or adolescents for depression.