Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2017
Journal/Book/Conference Title
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Volume
317
Issue
9
First Page
947
Last Page
953
DOI of Original Publication
10.1001/jama.2017.0807
Date of Submission
June 2017
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Many conditions that can affect women's health are often evaluated through pelvic examination. Although the pelvic examination is a common part of the physical examination, it is unclear whether performing screening pelvic examinations in asymptomatic women has a significant effect on disease morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVE To issue a new US Preventive Services Task Force(USPSTF) recommendation on screening for gynecologic conditions with pelvic examination for conditions other than cervical cancer, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, for which the USPSTF has already made specific recommendations.
EVIDENCE REVIEW The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the accuracy, benefits, and potential harms of performing screening pelvic examinations in asymptomatic, nonpregnant adult women 18 years and older who are not at increased risk for any specific gynecologic condition.
FINDINGS Overall, the USPSTF found inadequate evidence on screening pelvic examinations for the early detection and treatment of a range of gynecologic conditions in asymptomatic, nonpregnant adult women.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of performing screening pelvic examinations in asymptomatic, nonpregnant adult women. (I statement) This statement does not apply to specific disorders for which the USPSTF already recommends screening (ie, screening for cervical cancer with a Papanicolaou smear, screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia).
Rights
Copyright 2017 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Is Part Of
VCU Internal Medicine Publications
Comments
Originally published at http://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.0807