Table 10.2—Potentially Beneficial Services Lacking Evidence
|
Preventive Activity |
Condition to Detect or Prevent |
|
Screening |
|
|
Blood glucose |
Diabetic complications |
|
Thyrotropin |
Hypo- and hyperthyroidism |
|
Mental status examination |
Dementia |
|
Depression screening questionnaire |
Depression |
|
Serum lipids in persons without apparent CAD |
MI, angina |
|
Bone densitometry |
Osteoporosis |
|
PSA and/or digital rectal examination |
Prostate cancer |
|
Skin inspection |
Skin cancer |
|
Chemoprophylaxis |
|
|
Aspirin therapy |
Initial MI, stroke, colon cancer |
NOTE: CAD = coronary artery disease; MI = myocardial infarction; PSA = prostate specific antigen.
* Serial bone densities may be helpful in determining the risk of developing osteoporosis.