A survey of the effects of fatigue on driving in people with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of fatigue on driving in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
A questionnaire on driving was sent to 192 people with MS and 192 controls who were relatives or close friends of the people with MS.


RESULTS
Replies were received from 75 MS patients (39%) and 63 controls (32%). MS patients' ability to drive was more often affected by fatigue, leg problems, numbness and eye problems than controls. The MS group reported driving shorter distances and shorter times than controls, and that fatigue had a significant effect on their ability to drive. The driving plans of MS patients were affected by fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue affected the driving of MS patients, but it was not the only factor and should be considered in relation to other symptoms of MS.
Chipchase
S Y
SY
School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
Lincoln
N B
NB
Radford
K A
KA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires