USPSTF Recommends Against Screening for HCV Infection

The third U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been releasing new and updated guidelines during the past 3 years (guidelines homepage; Journal Watch May 15 2001 and Journal Watch Feb 17 2004).

USPSTF 3 concludes each of its guidelines with a recommendation, graded as follows:

A -- The intervention is strongly recommended.

B -- The intervention is recommended.

C -- The USPSTF makes no recommendation for or against the intervention.

D -- The intervention is not routinely recommended.

I -- Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the intervention.

The USPSTF recommends against routine screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in asymptomatic adults. Although tests can detect HCV infection, and therapy can improve interme…