The case for screening for type 2 diabetes in selected populations

This article originally appeared in BMJ USA

Seven criteria should be considered when screening for a disease in an asymptomatic population.1 These are: a) the disease represents an important health problem that imposes a significant burden on the population; b) the natural history of the disease is understood; c) there is a recognizable preclinical (asymptomatic) stage during which the disease can be diagnosed; d) tests are available that can detect the preclinical stage of the disease and the tests are acceptable and reliable; e) treatment after early detection yields benefits superior to those obtained when treatment is delayed; f) the costs of case finding and treatment are reasonable and are balanced in relation to health expenditures as a whole, and facilities and resources are available to treat newly diagnosed cases; and g) screening will be a systematic ongoing process and not merely an isolated one-time effort.