Screening for intimate partner violence and abuse of elderly and vulnerable adults: U.S. preventive services task force recommendation statement

Abstract

Description: Update of the 2004 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation statement on screening for family and intimate partner violence (IPV).

Methods: The USPSTF commissioned a systematic evidence review on screening women for IPV and elderly and vulnerable adults for abuse and neglect. This review examined the accuracy of screening tools for identifying IPV and the benefits and harms of screening women of childbearing age and elderly and vulnerable adults.

Population: These recommendations apply to asymptomatic women (women who do not have signs or symptoms of abuse) of reproductive age and elderly and vulnerable adults.

Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends that clinicians screen women of childbearing age for IPV, such as domestic violence, and provide or refer women who screen positive to intervention services (B recommendation).The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening all elderly or vulnerable adults (physically or mentally dysfunctional) for abuse and neglect (I statement).