Alexander Brunnauer1,2,3, Verena Buschert1, Felix Segmiller2, Sarah Zwick1,4, Johannes Bufler5, Max Schmauss6, Thomas Messer6,7, Hans-Jürgen Möller2, Ulrich Frommberger8, Helga Bartl1, Reinhard Steinberg9, Gerd Laux2,3. 1. a kbo-Inn-Salzach-Klinikum, Psychiatric Hospital , Department of Neuropsychology , Wasserburg/Inn , Germany ; 2. e Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Ludwig-Maximilians University , Munich , Germany ; 3. i Institute for Psychological Medicine (IPM) , Haag i. OB , Germany. 4. f Vitos Klinik , Department of Forensic Psychiatry , Haina , Germany ; 5. b kbo-Inn-Salzach-Klinikum, Psychiatric Hospital , Department of Neurology , Wasserburg/Inn , Germany ; 6. c Bezirkskrankenhaus Augsburg, Psychiatric Hospital , Augsburg , Germany ; 7. d Danuvius Klinik Pfaffenhofen, Psychiatric Hospital , Pfaffenhofen , Germany ; 8. g Mediclin Klinik an der Lindenhöhe, Psychiatric Hospital , Offenburg , Germany ; 9. h Pfalzklinikum Klingenmünster, Psychiatric Hospital , Klingenmünster , Germany ;
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Driving is an important activity of daily life and an integral part of mobility. However, impact of mental illness on road mobility is widely unexplored. METHOD: Driving status in 1497 psychiatric inpatients (PPs) and a clinical control group of 313 neurological inpatients (NPs) was investigated using a brief questionnaire. RESULTS: 67% of PPs (89% NPs) reported to have a valid driver's licence and 77% of them (92% NPs) reported to regularly use their cars. Within driver's license holders, patients with organic mental disorder (32%), substance dependence (37%) and psychotic disorder (40%) had the lowest proportion of current drivers. Higher educational qualification (odds ratio [OR] from 2.978 to 17.036) and being married/partnered (OR 3.049) or divorced (OR 4.840) significantly advanced the probability of possession of a driving license. Predictive factors for driving cessation were being female, an older age, drawing a pension and having an organic mental disease or schizophrenic disorder. CONCLUSION: Mental disease has a negative impact on driving status and this is especially true for illnesses frequently being accompanied by distinct cognitive impairments. Factors predicting road mobility elucidate the strong relationship with psychosocial status indicating that recovery of driving competence should be an integral goal of treatment strategies.
BACKGROUND: Driving is an important activity of daily life and an integral part of mobility. However, impact of mental illness on road mobility is widely unexplored. METHOD: Driving status in 1497 psychiatric inpatients (PPs) and a clinical control group of 313 neurological inpatients (NPs) was investigated using a brief questionnaire. RESULTS: 67% of PPs (89% NPs) reported to have a valid driver's licence and 77% of them (92% NPs) reported to regularly use their cars. Within driver's license holders, patients with organic mental disorder (32%), substance dependence (37%) and psychotic disorder (40%) had the lowest proportion of current drivers. Higher educational qualification (odds ratio [OR] from 2.978 to 17.036) and being married/partnered (OR 3.049) or divorced (OR 4.840) significantly advanced the probability of possession of a driving license. Predictive factors for driving cessation were being female, an older age, drawing a pension and having an organic mental disease or schizophrenic disorder. CONCLUSION:Mental disease has a negative impact on driving status and this is especially true for illnesses frequently being accompanied by distinct cognitive impairments. Factors predicting road mobility elucidate the strong relationship with psychosocial status indicating that recovery of driving competence should be an integral goal of treatment strategies.