Grade A recommendation for screening in non-pregnant persons at increased risk of infection
TUESDAY, June 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for syphilis infection in non-pregnant persons who are at increased risk of infection. These findings form the basis of a recommendation statement published in the June 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Researchers from the USPSTF reviewed the evidence to update recommendations on screening for syphilis infection in asymptomatic, non-pregnant adults and adolescents. The recommendations are also relevant to patients co-infected with other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
The researchers found that there was considerable evidence indicating the benefit of screening for syphilis infection in asymptomatic, non-pregnant persons at increased infection risk. In populations at increased risk, accurate screening tests are available to identify syphilis infection. Progression to late-stage disease can be prevented by effective treatment with antibiotics, with small associated harms, resulting in considerable health benefit. These findings form the basis of a grade A recommendation for screening for syphilis in persons at increased risk of infection.
“People at the highest risk for syphilis infection are men who have sex with men and people living with HIV,” Task Force member Francisco García, M.D., M.P.H., said in a statement. “In addition, clinicians should also consider their patients’ sexual behaviors and networks as well as local rates of infection when deciding whom to screen.”
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