Suicidal ideation, antidepressive medication and car crash injury.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the association between suicidal ideation, antidepressive medication and the risk of a car crash resulting in serious injury.


METHODS
This was a population-based case-control study. Cases were car drivers who were involved in crashes in which at least one occupant of their car was hospitalised or killed. Controls were selected using a cluster random sample of car drivers on the roads in the same region. Self-reported information on suicidal ideation in the 12 months prior to the crash or roadside survey, current usage of antidepressive medication as well as other crash-related risk factors was obtained from the drivers, or by proxy, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.


METHODS
The study was conducted in the Auckland region of New Zealand in 1998 and 1999.


RESULTS
There was a significant association between drivers who had suicidal ideation but without current antidepressive medication and the risk of an injury crash (OR=4.16, 95% CI=2.14-8.10), when compared to drivers without any suicidal ideation.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of an injury crash was significantly increased for those drivers who reported to have previous or current suicidal ideation but without current antidepressant medication.
Lam
Lawrence T
LT
The Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia.
Norton
Robyn
R
Connor
Jennie
J
Ameratunga
Shanthi
S
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents