USPSTF Recommends Screening for Diabetes in Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been releasing new and updated guidelines periodically. The USPSTF grades each of its recommendations according to a system described on the USPSTF website.

In 2003, the USPSTF concluded that the evidence was insufficient to recommend screening asymptomatic adults for type 2 diabetes, but it did recommend diabetes screening for adults with hypertension or hyperlipidemia. In updated recommendations, the task force suggests screening for type 2 diabetes in asymptomatic adults with blood pressure of 135/80 mm Hg or higher. Recommendation: B (the USPSTF recommends that clinicians provide this service). It also concludes that evidence still is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of di…