Screening for Hepatitis C in Adults

This topic is in the process of being updated. Please go to the Update in Progress section to see the latest documents available.

This topic page summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for hepatitis C.

Current Recommendation

Release Date: March 2004

The USPSTF recommends against routine screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in asymptomatic adults who are not at increased risk (general population) for infection.
Grade: D Recommendation.
The USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine screening for HCV infection in adults at high risk for infection.
Grade: I Statement.

Supporting Documents

Recommendation Statement (PDF File, 200 KB; PDF Help)

Review of the Evidence (PDF File, 380 KB; PDF Help)

Systematic Evidence Review (PDF Files Download)

Meaning of the Task Force "I" Recommendation

Update in Progress

In an effort to make the USPSTF recommendations clearer and its processes more transparent, the Task Force is sharing drafts of many of its documents for public comment, including draft Research Plans and draft Recommendation Statements. The final Recommendation Statement is not yet available.

Supporting Documents

Evidence Report

The research team at the Evidence-based Practice Center independently gathers and reviews the available published evidence to address the questions posed by the USPSTF. The resulting draft Evidence Report is critiqued by national subject matter experts before being finalized.

Evidence Report	Related Items
Evidence Report, Screening (PDF File, 113 KB; PDF Help)	Comparative Effectiveness Report, Screening
Evidence Report, Mother-to-Infant Transmission (PDF File, 104 KB; PDF Help)
Evidence Report, Treatment (PDF File, 220 KB; PDF Help)	Comparative Effectiveness Report, Treatment

Recommendation Statement

The USPSTF reviews the Evidence Report, evaluates the benefits and harms of the clinical preventive service, and discusses and develops one or more preliminary specific recommendations. The resulting draft Recommendation Statement is posted on this Web site for public comment before being finalized.

Recommendation Statement	Related Items
Draft Recommendation Statement for Public Comment (November 27–December 24, 2012)	Consumer Fact Sheet (PDF File, 86 KB; PDF Help)
	Informational Graphic: Who the USPSTF Proposes Be Screened for Hepatitis C (PDF File, 1.3 MB; PDF Help)

Current as of November 2012

Internet Citation:

Screening for Hepatitis C Virus Infection, Topic Page. November 2012. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspshepc.htm