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Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

Author/s: 
US Preventative Services task Force

IMPORTANCE An estimated 13% of all US adults (18 years or older) have diabetes, and 34.5%
meet criteria for prediabetes. The prevalences of prediabetes and diabetes are higher in older
adults. Estimates of the risk of progression from prediabetes to diabetes vary widely, perhaps
because of differences in the definition of prediabetes or the heterogeneity of prediabetes.
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and new cases of blindness among adults in the
US. It is also associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and was estimated to be the seventh leading cause
of death in the US in 2017. Screening asymptomatic adults for prediabetes and type 2
diabetes may allow earlier detection, diagnosis, and treatment, with the ultimate goal of
improving health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE To update its 2015 recommendation, the USPSTF commissioned a systematic
review to evaluate screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in asymptomatic,
nonpregnant adults and preventive interventions for those with prediabetes.
POPULATION Nonpregnant adults aged 35 to 70 years seen in primary care settings who have
overweight or obesity (defined as a body mass index 25 and 30, respectively) and no
symptoms of diabetes.
EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that screening for
prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and offering or referring patients with prediabetes to
effective preventive interventions has a moderate net benefit.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION The USPSTF recommends screening for prediabetes
and type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35 to 70 years who have overweight or obesity. Clinicians
should offer or refer patients with prediabetes to effective preventive interventions.
(B recommendation)

Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Liver Disease

Author/s: 
Paul, Sonali, Davis, Andrew M.

MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS

• Patients with incidental hepatic steatosis detected on imaging who lack any liver-related symptoms or signs and have normal liver biochemistries should be assessed for metabolic risk factors (eg, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia) and other causes of hepatic steatosis, including alcohol consumption (>14 drinks per week for women; >21 drinks per week for men) and medications.

• Routine screening for NAFLD in high-risk groups is not advised because of uncertainties surrounding diagnostic tests and treatment options, along with lack of knowledge about long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness of screening.

• The FIB-4 (age, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, platelets) and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS, which adds body mass index and albumin) are clinically useful tools to predict bridging fibrosis.

• Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) or magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can noninvasively assess for advanced fibrosis.

• Weight loss generally reduces hepatic steatosis, either by hypocaloric diet alone or in conjunction with increased physical activity.

• Pharmacologic treatments should be limited to patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and advanced fibrosis.

• Statins can be used to treat dyslipidemia in patients with NAFLD, NASH, and compensated NASH cirrhosis.

Keywords 
non-alcoholic liver disease non-alcoholic fatty liver disease liver disease liver cirrhosis
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