Grade Definitions
The Task Force assigns the letter grades A, B, C, D, or I to each of its recommendations, and includes "suggestions for practice" for each grade. The Task Force also defined levels of certainty regarding net benefit.
- Grade A. Recommended. There is high certainty that the net benefit is substantial.
- Grade B. Recommended. There is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.
- Grade C. No recommendation. Clinicians may provide the service to selected patients depending on individual circumstances. However, for most individuals without signs or symptoms there is likely to be only a small benefit.
- Grade D. The Task Force recommends against this service. There is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits.
- I statement. The current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms.
Levels of certainty vary from high to low according to the evidence.
- High. Consistent results from well-designed studies in representative populations that assess the effect of the service on health outcomes.
- Moderate. The evidence is sufficient to determine the effects of the service, but confidence is limited. The conclusion might change as more information becomes available.
- Low. The evidence is insufficient to assess effects on health outcome.
Read more about this topic: United States Preventive Services Task Force
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