U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: First Reviewing About Screening Anxiety Disorder

Bob Simon

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says, “the instruments used to detect generalized anxiety disorder demonstrate acceptable accuracy” June 20, 2023, in a new report released. USPSTF researchers established a review about screening anxiety disorder in adults for the first time. They stated that for most adults, screening and follow-up care can reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression.

While the experts recommend the application of screening anxiety programs in treating patients younger than 65 years old with anxiety disorder, they similarly report that “evidence is insufficient to conclude the benefits or harms of anxiety screening programs for adults the same age or older,” according to the new report.

The screening program can identify anxiety disorders early,” explains Michael Silverstein, a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force member, who also says that for 65-year-old and older, more research is necessary to make recommendations for or against the screening practice, during an interview with Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, editor in Chief of JAMA.

Throughout the report, experts also noted that the treatment for anxiety disorders is effective, including in populations with social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder and in mixed people with any of these anxiety disorders and depression.

“Clinicians can use accurate screening instruments to identify asymptomatic patients with anxiety or depression disorder,” Silverstein said.

Later, he calls primary care providers to be proactive because numerous patients may not show anxiety-related symptoms.

There are numerous types of disorders, and many of them manifest with anxiety symptoms such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, and autism-spectrum conditions are among the symptoms identified within the report.

If screening is an excellent step, screening alone has limited ability to improve patient outcomes, explained Silverstein, who wants to underline the significant role of follow-up in treating anxiety disorder.