Expert Panel Recommends Screening all Adults For Depression

Specifically, the task force “recommends screening for depression in the general population, including pregnant and postpartum women”.

During the review of the recommendation, the Task Force was able to collate evidences that show the clinical improvement of individuals, who were identified to have depression during screenings and were subjected for treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs.

Another doctor not involved in the proposal also sounded off on the importance of screening women, as treating mothers diagnosed with depression could have a positive, and significant effect on their children.

This is a grade B(www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org) recommendation, meaning the USPSTF determined that “there is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial”.

With this proposal, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force broadens its 2009 recommendation that adults be screened in doctors’ offices if staff-assisted depression care is available.

In reaching their recommendation, the USPSTF reviewed a number of trials assessing the harms and benefits of depression screening.

Until August 24th, the task force has left the doors open for public commentary on their drafted recommendations.

ACOG president, Mark S. DeFrancesco, MD, emphasized the serious nature of untreated perinatal depression in his statement, saying that suicide is a more common cause of maternal mortality than hemorrhage or hypertensive disorders. Pregnant women may be at increased risk for depression based on certain lifestyle factors and pregnancy-related issues, and older adults who struggle with disability or poor health status related to medical illness may also be at particular risk.

“The perinatal period, in which women regularly visit their obstetrician-gynecologists, provides an opportunity for physicians to conduct routine screening for depression, but this screening remains important through a woman’s life”. She continues, “The good thing is we have many instruments, measures that have been studied for screening for depression”.

Specifics of that coverage are up to the individual insurers, Bibbins-Domingo said.