What does a "D" recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force indicate?

A "D" recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force indicates that there is moderate or high certainty that the service or intervention has no net benefit. This means that, based on the evidence reviewed, the potential harms associated with the service outweigh any possible benefits. In practice, this recommendation suggests that clinicians should discourage the use of the service for patients, as it may not provide any positive outcome and could even lead to unnecessary harm or complications.

This rating is part of the Task Force's grading system, which is designed to help guide healthcare professionals and patients in making informed decisions about preventive services. A "D" recommendation is a clear indication that the evidence strongly supports that the intervention should not be performed as it does not contribute positively to patient outcomes.