Screening for Depression in Adults

Release Date: December 2009

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This topic page summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for depression in adults.

Summary of Recommendations / Supporting Documents

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This is an update to the May 2002 recommendations on screening for depression in adults. This recommendation was also updated in part for children and adolescents. Go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspschdepr.htm to view the new recommendation for children and adolescents, published in March 2009.

Summary of Recommendations

• The USPSTF recommends screening adults for depression when staff-assisted depression care supports are in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up.
  Grade: B recommendation.
• The USPTF recommends against routinely screening adults for depression when staff-assisted depression care supports are not in place. There may be considerations that support screening for depression in an individual patient.
  Grade: C recommendation.

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Supporting Documents

Screening for Depression in Adults, December 2009
Recommendation Statement (PDF File, 450 KB; PDF Help)
Supporting Article (PDF File, 210 KB; PDF Help)
Evidence Synthesis (PDF File, 2.3 MB; PDF Help)
Clinical Summary (PDF File, 50 KB; PDF Help)

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Current as of December 2009

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Internet Citation:

Screening for Depression in Adults, Topic Page. December 2009. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsaddepr.htm

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