Preliminary investigation of the association between psychotropic medication use and accidents, minor injuries and cognitive failures.
BACKGROUND
Psychotropic medication may impair psychomotor and cognitive function, and so increase accident susceptibility. However, few studies examine any association in the framework of other demographic, health and occupational factors.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between sleeping tablets and antidepressants, and accidents, minor injuries and cognitive failures.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire study of 3111 individuals who participated in an earlier phase of the Bristol Stress and Health Study.


RESULTS
Sleeping tablet use was associated with accidents, minor injuries and cognitive failures both at work and outside work. Antidepressant use was associated with accidents and cognitive failures both at work and outside work. Adjusting for health, demographic and occupational factors explained many of these associations, but sleeping tablet use was independently associated with accidents (both at work and outside work), and antidepressant use with cognitive failures (outside work).


CONCLUSIONS
Antidepressant and sleeping tablet use were apparently associated with accidents, minor injuries and cognitive failures. Although most of the associations could be accounted for by other factors the results suggested links between sleeping tablet use and accidents, and between antidepressant use and cognitive failures.
Wadsworth
Emma J K
EJ
Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, Cardiff University, 63 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AS, UK. wadsworthj@cardiff.ac.uk
Moss
Susanna C
SC
Simpson
Sharon A
SA
Smith
Andrew P
AP
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs