Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation
This document is a summary of the 2008 recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on screening for illicit drug use. This summary is intended for use by primary care clinicians.
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| Population |
Adolescents, Adults, and Pregnant Women Not Previously
Identified as Users of Illicit Drugs
|
| Recommendation |
No Recommendation
Grade I: (Insufficient Evidence)
|
| Screening Tests |
Toxicologic tests of blood or urine can provide objective evidence of drug use,
but do not distinguish occasional users from impaired drug users.
Valid and reliable standardized questionnaires are available to screen adolescents and adults for drug use or misuse.
There is insufficient evidence to evaluate the clinical utility of these instruments when widely applied in primary care settings.
|
| Conclusions Regarding Net Benefit |
The USPSTF concludes that for adolescents, adults, and pregnant women, the evidence is insufficient to determine the benefits and harms of screening for illicit drug use.
|
| Suggestions for Practice |
Clinicians should be alert to the signs and symptoms of illicit drug use in patients.
|
| Treatment |
More evidence is needed on the effectiveness of primary care office-based treatments for illicit drug use/dependence.
|
| Other Relevant Recommendations from the USPSTF |
The USPSTF recommendation for screening and counseling interventions to reduce alcohol misuse
by adults and pregnant women can be found at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsdrin.htm.
|
For a summary of the evidence systematically reviewed in making these recommendations, the full recommendation statement, and supporting documents please go to http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov.
Copyright and Source Information
This document is in the public domain within the United States. For
information on reprinting, contact Randie Siegel, Director, Division of
Printing and Electronic Publishing, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.
Requests for linking or to incorporate content in electronic resources
should be sent to: info@ahrq.gov.
Current as of January 2008
Internet Citation:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Illicit Drug Use: Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation. January 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf08/druguse/drugsum.htm
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850