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Benefits of thyroid screening unclear

Date:
October 27, 2014
Source:
American College of Physicians
Summary:
More research is needed to determine the benefits of screening asymptomatic individuals for thyroid dysfunction, experts suggest.
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Researchers for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggest that more research is needed to determine the benefits of screening asymptomatic individuals for thyroid dysfunction. Their review is being published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

An estimated 5 percent of women and 3 percent of men in the U.S. have undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction, and about 0.5 percent of the population may have undiagnosed overt thyroid disease. Thyroid screening could identify persons who could benefit from treatments to reduce the risk of associated adverse health outcomes, such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and decreased bone density. In 2004, the USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine thyroid screening in asymptomatic adults.

Researchers reviewed randomized controlled trials and observational studies of screening and treatment published through July 2014 to inform an updated recommendation. No trials directly assessed the benefits and harms of screening versus no screening. While screening can identify patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction or undiagnosed overt thyroid disease, more research is needed to understand the effects of treatment.

A draft recommendation statement on screening for thyroid dysfunction will be posted to the USPSTF website for public comment at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American College of Physicians. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. J. Bruin Rugge, Christina Bougatsos, Roger Chou. Screening and Treatment of Thyroid Dysfunction: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2014; DOI: 10.7326/M14-1456

Cite This Page:

American College of Physicians. "Benefits of thyroid screening unclear." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 October 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141027182753.htm>.
American College of Physicians. (2014, October 27). Benefits of thyroid screening unclear. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 3, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141027182753.htm
American College of Physicians. "Benefits of thyroid screening unclear." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141027182753.htm (accessed October 3, 2024).

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