Carrie Huisingh1, Gerald McGwin, Katherine A Orman, Cynthia Owsley. 1. Center for Clinical and Translational Science, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between frequent falls in older drivers and motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: North central Alabama. PARTICIPANTS: Population-based sample of 2,000 licensed drivers aged 70 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported history of falling two or more times in the prior year was the main predictor. Outcomes were any MVC or at-fault MVC in the prior year. RESULTS: Approximately 9% of older drivers reported having fallen two or more times in the prior year. Logistic regression models indicated that frequent falling was associated with having any MVC (crude odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.77-3.02) and an at-fault MVC (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 0.97-5.06). Adjustment for the potentially confounding effects of demographic, health, visual, and driving characteristics did not meaningfully affect the association with any MVC, whereas the association with at-fault MVC was weakened (adjusted OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 0.84-4.90). CONCLUSION: Frequent falling was associated with at-fault MVC involvement of older drivers, especially whites. History of falling can be used to identify individuals at risk of MVC involvement and to begin a dialogue about driver safety.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between frequent falls in older drivers and motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: North central Alabama. PARTICIPANTS: Population-based sample of 2,000 licensed drivers aged 70 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported history of falling two or more times in the prior year was the main predictor. Outcomes were any MVC or at-fault MVC in the prior year. RESULTS: Approximately 9% of older drivers reported having fallen two or more times in the prior year. Logistic regression models indicated that frequent falling was associated with having any MVC (crude odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.77-3.02) and an at-fault MVC (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 0.97-5.06). Adjustment for the potentially confounding effects of demographic, health, visual, and driving characteristics did not meaningfully affect the association with any MVC, whereas the association with at-fault MVC was weakened (adjusted OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 0.84-4.90). CONCLUSION: Frequent falling was associated with at-fault MVC involvement of older drivers, especially whites. History of falling can be used to identify individuals at risk of MVC involvement and to begin a dialogue about driver safety.
Authors: Karen L Margolis; Roxanne Pieper Kerani; Paul McGovern; Thomas Songer; Jane A Cauley; Kristine E Ensrud Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Nathalie de Rekeneire; Marjolein Visser; Rita Peila; Michael C Nevitt; Jane A Cauley; Frances A Tylavsky; Eleanor M Simonsick; Tamara B Harris Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Joseph T Hanlon; Lawrence R Landerman; Gerda G Fillenbaum; Stephanie Studenski Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2002-07 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: John N Booth; Michael Behring; Ryan S Cantor; Lisandro D Colantonio; Sherri Davidson; John P Donnelly; Erica Johnson; Kelsey Jordan; Chelsea Singleton; Fenglong Xie; Gerald McGwin Journal: Sleep Med Date: 2015-12-29 Impact factor: 3.492