Screening

USPSTF Updates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Recommendations

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released a draft statement reaffirming its 2014 recommendations on the screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

“The current prevalence of AAA in the United States is unclear because of the low uptake of screening,” they wrote.

To update their 2014 recommendations, the USPSTF commissioned a systematic evidence review of evidence for the effectiveness of one-time and repeated screening, harms associated with screening, and the benefits and harms of treatment of small AAAs identified through screening.

Among the recommendations:

  • For men aged 65 to 74 years who have ever smoked, one-time screening with ultrasonography is recommended (Grade B).
  • For men aged 65 to 75 years who have never smoked, clinicians should selectively offer screening after balancing the benefits and harms (Grade C).
  • For women who have never smoked and with no family history, routine screening is not recommended (Grade D).
  • For women aged 65 to 75 years who have smoked or have a family history, the USPSTF found insufficient evidence to assess benefits and harms of screening.

“This recommendation incorporates new evidence, and when finalized, will replace the 2014 USPSTF recommendation. It is consistent with the 2014 USPSTF recommendation…” they wrote.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

USPSTF. Draft recommendation statement: abdominal aortic aneurysm: screening. Accessed June 19, 2019. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/draft-recommendation-statement/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening1.