R V Sims1, C Owsley, R M Allman, K Ball, T M Smoot. 1. Department of Medicine, Center for Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine associations between medical and functional variables and at-fault car crashes in a cohort of older drivers. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: A tertiary care medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Older drivers (ages 55-90 years) residing in Jefferson County, Alabama (n = 174). Cases were drivers who had at least one at-fault crash in the previous 6 years; controls were crash-free during the same period. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported medical conditions, reported and observed functional measures, and urinary drug screens. The occurrence of one or more at-fault car crashes in the 6 years preceding the 1991 assessment date represented the outcome measure. RESULTS: Ninety-nine older drivers experienced between one and seven at-fault vehicle crashes during the period 1985 through 1991, whereas 75 drivers did not. Logistic regression models indicated that the following variables were independently associated with crash involvement: A 40% or greater reduction in the useful field of view (OR = 6.1; 95% CI, 2.9 to 12.7; P < 0.001), black race (OR = 6.6; 95% CI, 1.7 to 26.2; P = .007), a history of falling in the previous 2 years (OR = 2.6; CI, 1.1 to 6.1; P = .025), and not taking a beta-blocking drug (OR = 4.3; CI, 1.2 to 15.0; P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: Functional assessments, such as a comprehensive test of visual processing, a falls history, and a review of current medications may be of greater relevance than specific medical conditions in the identification of older at-risk drivers. If prospective studies determine that falling and crashing share risk factors, a unified approach to the prevention of these mobility disorders could result. The finding of an independent association of black race with at-fault crashing is in need of further clarification because of the low representation of black drivers in this sample.
OBJECTIVES: To examine associations between medical and functional variables and at-fault car crashes in a cohort of older drivers. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: A tertiary care medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Older drivers (ages 55-90 years) residing in Jefferson County, Alabama (n = 174). Cases were drivers who had at least one at-fault crash in the previous 6 years; controls were crash-free during the same period. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported medical conditions, reported and observed functional measures, and urinary drug screens. The occurrence of one or more at-fault car crashes in the 6 years preceding the 1991 assessment date represented the outcome measure. RESULTS: Ninety-nine older drivers experienced between one and seven at-fault vehicle crashes during the period 1985 through 1991, whereas 75 drivers did not. Logistic regression models indicated that the following variables were independently associated with crash involvement: A 40% or greater reduction in the useful field of view (OR = 6.1; 95% CI, 2.9 to 12.7; P < 0.001), black race (OR = 6.6; 95% CI, 1.7 to 26.2; P = .007), a history of falling in the previous 2 years (OR = 2.6; CI, 1.1 to 6.1; P = .025), and not taking a beta-blocking drug (OR = 4.3; CI, 1.2 to 15.0; P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: Functional assessments, such as a comprehensive test of visual processing, a falls history, and a review of current medications may be of greater relevance than specific medical conditions in the identification of older at-risk drivers. If prospective studies determine that falling and crashing share risk factors, a unified approach to the prevention of these mobility disorders could result. The finding of an independent association of black race with at-fault crashing is in need of further clarification because of the low representation of black drivers in this sample.
Authors: Laura A Fraade-Blanar; Ryan N Hansen; Kwun Chuen G Chan; Jeanne M Sears; Hilaire J Thompson; Paul K Crane; Beth E Ebel Journal: Accid Anal Prev Date: 2018-03-07
Authors: Lisa Keay; Srichand Jasti; Beatriz Munoz; Kathleen A Turano; Cynthia A Munro; Donald D Duncan; Kevin Baldwin; Karen J Bandeen-Roche; Emily W Gower; Sheila K West Journal: Accid Anal Prev Date: 2009-06-21