Laetitia Marie Dit Asse1, Colette Fabrigoule2, Catherine Helmer3, Bernard Laumon1, Claudine Berr4, Olivier Rouaud5, Sophie Auriacombe6, Sylviane Lafont1. 1. Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Ifsttar, UMRESTTE, Bron, France. 2. USR 3413 CNRS/Université Bordeaux Segalen, Bordeaux cedex, France. 3. Centre INSERM U897-Epidemiologie-Biostatistique, ISPED, Bordeaux, France. 4. INSERM U1061 - Hôpital La Colombière, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. 5. Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Bocage Central, Dijon, France. 6. Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Bordeaux Cedex, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Aging entails deterioration in sensory, physical, and cognitive functions, raising doubt in the driving capacity of older drivers, especially when the deficits are severe, as in dementia. Many older drivers, especially women, adapt their driving habits in order to compensate for these deficits and eventually stop driving. The present prospective study assessed driving cessation in men and women throughout the dementia process, including a 2-year pre-dementia phase. METHODS: The study was based on a three-city cohort of subjects who were aged 65 years and older in 2000 and followed for more than 10 years. Active dementia detection was conducted at each follow-up. The probability of driving cessation was assessed in men and women during the 2-year pre-dementia phase and until 5 years after diagnosis. RESULTS: In the 2-year pre-dementia phase, both men and women ceased driving earlier than drivers with no central nervous system pathology (p < 0,001), and women ceased driving earlier than men. A total of 45% of men and 74% of women had already ceased driving at dementia diagnosis. In contrast, the probability of cessation within 3 years after diagnosis was similar between men and women. CONCLUSION: The study showed that, in this French urban population, few demented drivers, especially women, were still driving after diagnosis. Those who continued to drive 3 years after the diagnosis all had Alzheimer-type dementia. There is certainly a need for physicians to help these drivers to adapt their driving activity to their deficits and to prepare them to stop driving.
OBJECTIVES: Aging entails deterioration in sensory, physical, and cognitive functions, raising doubt in the driving capacity of older drivers, especially when the deficits are severe, as in dementia. Many older drivers, especially women, adapt their driving habits in order to compensate for these deficits and eventually stop driving. The present prospective study assessed driving cessation in men and women throughout the dementia process, including a 2-year pre-dementia phase. METHODS: The study was based on a three-city cohort of subjects who were aged 65 years and older in 2000 and followed for more than 10 years. Active dementia detection was conducted at each follow-up. The probability of driving cessation was assessed in men and women during the 2-year pre-dementia phase and until 5 years after diagnosis. RESULTS: In the 2-year pre-dementia phase, both men and women ceased driving earlier than drivers with no central nervous system pathology (p < 0,001), and women ceased driving earlier than men. A total of 45% of men and 74% of women had already ceased driving at dementia diagnosis. In contrast, the probability of cessation within 3 years after diagnosis was similar between men and women. CONCLUSION: The study showed that, in this French urban population, few demented drivers, especially women, were still driving after diagnosis. Those who continued to drive 3 years after the diagnosis all had Alzheimer-type dementia. There is certainly a need for physicians to help these drivers to adapt their driving activity to their deficits and to prepare them to stop driving.
Authors: Latha Velayudhan; Sarah Baillon; Gabriela Urbaskova; Laura McCulloch; Samuel Tromans; Mathew Storey; James Lindesay; Sagnik Bhattacharyya Journal: Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra Date: 2018-04-26
Authors: Dafne Piersma; Anselm B M Fuermaier; Dick De Waard; Ragnhild J Davidse; Jolieke De Groot; Michelle J A Doumen; Rudolf W H M Ponds; Peter P De Deyn; Wiebo H Brouwer; Oliver Tucha Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2018-09-17 Impact factor: 3.921