What Are The Recommended Screening Tests For Adults?
Important screening tests for adults are guided by evidence-based recommendations from various professional societies. Here are key screening tests:
Hypertension: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for hypertension in adults aged 18 years or older with office blood pressure measurement. Annual screening is suggested for adults aged 40 years or older and those at increased risk, while screening every 3-5 years is appropriate for younger adults with normal blood pressure and no risk factors.
Colorectal Cancer: The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50 and continuing until age 75. Screening methods include annual fecal occult blood testing, fecal immunochemical testing, sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years.
Lipid Disorders: The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) recommend lipid screening for adults aged 40-75 years to assess cardiovascular risk and guide statin therapy.
Diabetes Mellitus: The USPSTF recommends screening for type 2 diabetes in adults aged 40-70 years who are overweight or obese. Screening should be done with fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, or an oral glucose tolerance test.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The USPSTF recommends one-time screening with ultrasonography for men aged 65-75 years who have ever smoked.
Lung Cancer: The USPSTF recommends annual screening with low-dose computed tomography for adults aged 55-80 years with a 30 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
Prostate Cancer: The USPSTF recommends against routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer, but suggests individualized decision-making for men aged 55-69 years.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least once-lifetime screening for HBV in adults aged ≥18 years.
HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Routine screening for HIV is recommended for all adults aged 15-65 years, and for other STIs based on risk factors.
Immunizations: Immunizations should be updated according to the guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These recommendations are based on the latest evidence and guidelines from authoritative bodies such as the USPSTF, ACC, AHA, and ACIP.
References
Screening for Hypertension in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. Krist AH, Davidson KW, Mangione CM, et al. Jama. 2021;325(16):1650-1656. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.4987.
Screening for Colorectal Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Davidson KW, Barry MJ, Mangione CM, et al. Jama. 2021;325(19):1965-1977. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.6238.
2019 AHA/ACC Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Adults With High Blood Pressure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures. Casey DE, Thomas RJ, Bhalla V, et al. Circulation. Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2019;12(11):e000057. doi:10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000057.
The Adult Well Male Examination. Heidelbaugh JJ, Tortorello M. American Family Physician. 2012;85(10):964-71.
The Adult Well-Male Examination. Heidelbaugh JJ. American Family Physician. 2018;98(12):729-737.
Screening for Cancer: Concepts and Controversies. Gates TJ. American Family Physician. 2014;90(9):625-31.
Screening and Testing for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: CDC Recommendations - United States, 2023. Conners EE, Panagiotakopoulos L, Hofmeister MG, et al. MMWR. Recommendations and Reports : Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Recommendations and Reports. 2023;72(1):1-25. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7201a1. Copyright License: CC0
Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. MMWR. Recommendations and Reports : Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Recommendations and Reports. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1.
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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical questions or concerns.