Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Draft Recommendation Statement from the Japan Preventive Services Task Force

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. However, whether its recommendation is appropriate for the Japanese population remains unclear.The Japan Preventive Services Task Force (JPPSTF) reviewed the 2021 USPSTF systematic review and recommendation, and commissioned an independent literature review to account for the Japan-specific context. Based on the findings, JPPSTF developed its own version of the recommendation targeted at the Japanese population.This recommendation targets Japanese general adult population without neurological symptoms related to the carotid arteries and without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).The JPPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in the general adult population provides little benefit and may result in potential harm in Japan.The JPPSTF recommends against screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in the general adult population in Japan (Grade D).