Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation
This document is a summary of the 2009 recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on screening and treatment for major depressive disorder in children and adolescents. This summary is intended for use by primary care clinicians.
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| Population |
Adolescents (12-18 years)
| Children (7-11 years) |
| Recommendation
| Screen (when systems for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up are in place) | No Recommendation |
| Grade: B | Grade: I
(Insufficient Evidence)
|
| Risk Assessment |
Risk factors for major depressive disorder (MDD) include parental depression, having comorbid mental health or chronic medical conditions, and having experienced a major negative life event.
|
| Screening Tests |
The following screening tests have been shown to do well in teens in primary care settings:
- Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A).
- Beck Depression Inventory-Primary Care Version (BDI-PC).
|
Screening instruments perform less well in younger children.
|
| Treatments |
Among pharmacotherapies fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has been found efficacious. However, because of risk of suicidality, SSRIs should be considered only if clinical monitoring is possible. Various modes of psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy combined with psychotherapy, have been found efficacious.
|
Evidence on the balance of benefits and harms of treatment of younger children is insufficient for a recommendation. |
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.
Disclaimer: Recommendations made by the USPSTF are independent of the U.S. government. They should not be construed as an official position of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Copyright and Source Information
This document is in the public domain within the United States. For
information on reprinting, contact Randie Siegel, Associate Director, Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer, 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.
AHRQ Publication No. 09-05130-EF-3
Current as of March 2009
Internet Citation:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening and Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Summary. AHRQ Publication No. 09-05130-EF-3, March 2009. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf09/depression/chdeprsum.htm
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850