Depression may Increase Risky Driving Patterns Among Older Adults, reports JAMA study
According to researchers older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) present with unique and riskier driving behaviors. A recent study was conducted by Ganesh M. and colleagues which was published in the journal JAMA Network Open. Older adults are concerned about safety while driving as mobility represents independence and quality of life. However, mental health conditions such as depression can cause unsafe drivers. This study looks at the effect of MDD in a longitudinal study with real-world data over an extended period.
The study was based on data from the Driving Real-World In-Vehicle Evaluation System Project between July 2021 and December 2023. A total of 395 participants aged 65 years or older participated, with 85 having MDD and 310 without. Each year, neurological, clinical, and neuropsychological exams were conducted and a commercial data logger was used to document driving behaviors.
Statistical analysis, from January to June 2024, used linear mixed models with propensity score weighting to compare driving behaviors between the two groups. Key metrics included trips taken at night, speeding, hard braking, cornering, entropy, and radius of gyration.
Key Findings
Participant Demographics:
• MDD group: Mean age 69.6 years, 70.6% female.
• Control group: Mean age 70.1 years, 49.4% female.
Baseline Characteristics:
• Depressive symptoms: 8.35 vs 2.33 (mean difference 6.02; p<0.001).
• Concurrent use of antidepressants 0.94 vs 0.27 (p<0.001).
• Number of medications 3.80 vs 1.98 (p<0.001).
Driving Behaviors Longitudinally:
Hard braking MDD: 3.17×10⁻⁴ events per trip vs controls, 6.70×10⁻⁵ events/trip (difference 2.50×10⁻⁴; p<0.001).
• Hard cornering: Events/Events per trip MDD compared with controls was 0.80 vs 0.57 (p=0.04).
• Miles from Home: This group drove a mean number of 31.19 km vs controls 7.76 km, or a difference of 23.43 km (p<0.001).
• Unique Destinations Visited: 0.34 for MDD vs −0.27 for controls (difference 0.61; p<0.001).
• Entropy: Random entropy was 0.01 in the MDD group vs −0.02 in controls (difference 0.03; p<0.001).
The findings of this study point to the link between MDD and unsafe driving behaviors in older adults and underscore the need for the treatment of mental illness as a safety-enhancing intervention. Personalized interventions and holistic care strategies are key to preventing safety threats and preserving autonomy in the older adult population with depression.
Reference:
Babulal GM, Chen L, Trani J, et al. Major Depressive Disorder and Driving Behavior Among Older Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(12):e2452038. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.52038
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