Pain Management

Chronic Pain Management

Psychoactive Medications and Crash Involvement Requiring Hospitalization for Older Drivers: A Population-Based Study

Meuleners LB, Duke J, Lee AH, et al (Curtin Univ, Perth, Western Australia) J Am Geriatr Soc 59:1575-1580, 2011^§

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the association between psychoactive medications and crash risk in drivers aged 60 and older.

Design

Retrospective population-based case-crossover study.

Setting

A database study that linked the Western Australian Hospital Morbidity Data System and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Participants

Six hundred sixteen individuals aged 60 and older who were hospitalized as the result of a motor vehicle crash between 2002 and 2008 in Western Australia.

Measurements

Hospitalization after a motor vehicle crash.

Results

Greater risk for a hospitalization crash was found for older drivers prescribed benzodiazepines (odds ratio (OR)=5.3, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.6–7.8, P < .001), antidepressants (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0–3.3, P = .04), and opioid analgesics (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0–2.3, P = .05). Crash risk was significantly greater in men prescribed a benzodiazepine (OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 3.2–12.2, P < .001) or an antidepressant (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1–6.9, P = .03). Women prescribed benzodiazepines (OR = 4.9, 95% CI = 3.1–7.8, P < .001) or opioid analgesics (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1–3.0, P = .03) also had a significantly greater crash risk. Subgroup analyses further suggested that drivers with (OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 2.9–8.1, P < .001) and without (OR = 6.0, 95% CI = 3.8–9.5, P < .001) a chronic condition who were prescribed benzodiazepines were at greater crash risk. Drivers with a chronic condition taking antidepressants (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.3–8.5, P = .01) also had a greater crash risk.

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Related posts:

of change in daily step count over five years with insulin sensitivity and adiposity: population based cohort study of Cancer: The Next Generation Beverages and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes: A meta-analysis time and haemodynamic response after thiopental vs. propofol in the elderly: a randomized trial monitoring of neuromuscular block over the orbicularis oris muscle in anesthetized patients receiving vecuronium Is Better Than General Anesthesia During Endovascular Acute Stroke Interventions

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join