Screening for Anxiety Disorders in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Authors

Michael J. Barry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Wanda K. Nicholson, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Michael Silverstein, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Tumaini Rucker Coker, University of Washington, Seattle.
Karina W. Davidson, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York.
Esa M. Davis, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Katrina E. Donahue, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Carlos Roberto Jaén, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Li Li, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Gbenga Ogedegbe, New York University, New York, New York.
Lori Pbert, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester.
Goutham Rao, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
John M. Ruiz

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-27-2023

Journal

JAMA

Volume

329

Issue

24

DOI

10.1001/jama.2023.9301

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Anxiety disorders are commonly occurring mental health conditions. They are often unrecognized in primary care settings and substantial delays in treatment initiation occur. OBJECTIVE: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in asymptomatic adults. POPULATION: Asymptomatic adults 19 years or older, including pregnant and postpartum persons. Older adults are defined as those 65 years or older. EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT: The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that screening for anxiety disorders in adults, including pregnant and postpartum persons, has a moderate net benefit. The USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient on screening for anxiety disorders in older adults. RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF recommends screening for anxiety disorders in adults, including pregnant and postpartum persons. (B recommendation) The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in older adults. (I statement).

APA Citation

Barry, Michael J.; Nicholson, Wanda K.; Silverstein, Michael; Coker, Tumaini Rucker; Davidson, Karina W.; Davis, Esa M.; Donahue, Katrina E.; Jaén, Carlos Roberto; Li, Li; Ogedegbe, Gbenga; Pbert, Lori; Rao, Goutham; and Ruiz, John M., "Screening for Anxiety Disorders in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 2683.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2683

Department

Prevention and Community Health