USPSTF Again Recommends Against Screening for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Asymptomatic Adults

The Task Force found no evidence that screening improves health-related outcomes or smoking cessation rates.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Target Audience: Primary care clinicians

Background

In 2008, the USPSTF recommended against screening asymptomatic adults for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; Ann Intern Med 2008; 148:529). The USPSTF reiterates this advice in an updated recommendation statement based on a systemic review of studies published since 2000.

Key Points

Of the screening instruments studied, indirect evidence suggests that the most accurate is the COPD Diagnosis Questionnaire, with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 40% in a primary care population.
No studies directly assessed screening benefits for morbidity, mortality, or quality of life in asymptomatic patients.
Of five studies …

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

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