New study suggests increased risk of motor vehicle crashes in older adults with newly diagnosed migraine

Researchers conducted a five-year longitudinal study of more than 2,500 active drivers aged 65-79 in five sites across the United States. Participants were categorized as having previously been diagnosed with migraine symptoms (12.5%), no previous diagnosis but experienced symptoms during the study timeframe (1.3%) or never migraine respondents. Results indicate those with previous diagnoses did not have a different likelihood of having crashes after baseline, while those with new-onset migraines were three times as likely to experience a crash within one year of diagnosis. However, previously diagnosed drivers experienced more hard-braking events compared to adults who had never experienced a migraine.

Additionally, researchers examined the role medications commonly prescribed for migraines have in motor vehicle events and found that there was no impact on the relationship between migraines and either crashes or driving habits. However, few participants in the study sample were using acute migraine medications.

“These results have potential implications for the safety of older patients that should be addressed,” says DiGuiseppi. “Patients with a new migraine diagnosis would benefit from talking with their clinicians about driving safety, including being extra careful about other risks, such as distracted driving, alcohol, pain medication and other factors that affect driving.”  

Reference:

Carolyn G. DiGuiseppi, Rachel L. Johnson, Marian E. Betz, Linda L. Hill, David W. Eby, Vanya C. Jones, Thelma J. Mielenz, Migraine headaches are associated with motor vehicle crashes and driving habits among older drivers: Prospective cohort study, https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18719.