Cessation of driving and unsafe motor vehicle operation by dementia patients

Article Abstract:

Although certain brain disorders are associated with impairment of the ability to drive motor vehicles, the effects of dementia (impairment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions) on driving have not been studied. To learn more about this issue, a survey was carried out of 487 patients evaluated consecutively at an Alzheimer's disease center (Alzheimer's disease, or AD, is a progressive disorder involving loss of cognitive function). Based on their performance on standard neuropsychological tests, patients were classified as having probable AD (ADprob), possible AD (ADposs, in cases where other medical or neurologic disorders besides AD could not be ruled out), or other disorders. Patients' caregivers completed questionnaires about patients' driving status, licensure, and (if appropriate) driving safety records for the six previous months. Consumption of alcohol and medication was also investigated. Results showed that 154 patients were not driving when their disease developed, 240 patients had stopped driving, and 93 still drove. On average, patients who continued to drive after disease onset (DAO) drove for 24 more months. The length of time that patients continued to drive was associated with their diagnoses: those with ADprob and ADposs had longer DAO than those with vascular disease. One-third of the patients who still drove had had at least one unsafe experience operating a motor vehicle in the preceding six months. These experiences included single- or multiple-car accidents, in which 21 patients were involved (average of 1.7 accidents per patient); none involved personal injuries. No patient had a history of drug abuse; however, the 24 patients who took prescribed drugs known to impair cognition (sedatives) had a higher frequency of accidents than the patients who did not take such drugs. The results suggest that patients with dementia are at significantly increased risk for motor vehicle accidents and other unsafe driving experiences. Factors that could reduce that risk should be investigated. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Laws, regulations and rules, Complications and side effects, Demographic aspects, Dementia, Motor vehicle drivers, Motor vehicle driving, Automobile drivers, Organic mental disorder, Organic mental disorders

---

Use of nicotine to stop smoking

Article Abstract:

Nicotine-containing anti-smoking aids appear to be effective in helping smokers to quit. They appear to have few or no side effects. Studies show that nicotine patches may at least double the success rate of quitting smoking. Eight weeks of use appears to be as effective as longer use. Nicotine gum has also been shown to increase the odds of successfully quitting smoking, but optimal duration of use is unclear. Regular contact with a professional further enhances success rates. Nicotine patches cause mild skin irritation in about half of people using them, but the gum can cause gas, indigestion, nausea, a foul taste, and a sore mouth, throat, or jaw. Combining smoking with nicotine patches or gum may cause nicotine overdose. The nicotine in patches is believed to be safe for patients with stable coronary artery disease. Nicotine nasal spray is under development, but its use may be addictive. An inhaler that must be puffed many times is also undergoing testing. Anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs have also proved helpful.

Smoking cessation programs, Transdermal medication, Smoking cessation, Transdermal drug delivery systems, Nicotine chewing gum

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The sound of music... and motherhood. Old-fashioned fun at classic amusement parks. Music
• Abstracts: Cost-effectiveness of detecting and treating diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy
• Abstracts: Child physical abuse observed: comparison of families with and without history of child abuse treated in an in-patient family unit
• Abstracts: A prospective study on the treatment of retinoblastoma in 72 patients
• Abstracts: Testolactone, sulindac, warfarin, and vitamin K1 for unresectable desmoid tumors. Topotecan hydrochloride for metastatic ovarian cancer

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.