A longitudinal study of drivers with Alzheimer disease.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to define the natural progression of driving impairment in persons who initially have very mild to mild dementia.


METHODS
We studied 128 older drivers, including 84 with early Alzheimer disease (AD) and 44 age-matched control subjects without cognitive impairment. Subjects underwent repeated assessments of their cognitive, neurologic, visual, and physical function over 3 years. Self-reports of driving accidents and traffic violations were supplemented by reports from family informants and state records. Within 2 weeks of the office evaluation, subjects were examined by a professional driving instructor on a standardized road test.


RESULTS
At baseline, subjects with AD had experienced more accidents and performed more poorly on the road test, compared to controls. Over time, both groups declined in driving performance on the road test, with subjects with AD declining more than controls. Survival analysis indicated that while the majority of subjects with AD passed the examination at baseline, greater severity of dementia, increased age, and lower education were associated with higher rates of failure and marginal performance.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms previous reports of potentially hazardous driving in persons with early Alzheimer disease, but also indicates that some individuals with very mild dementia can continue to drive safely for extended periods of time. Regular follow-up assessments, however, are warranted in those individuals.
Ott
B R
BR
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. BOtt@lifespan.org
Heindel
W C
WC
Papandonatos
G D
GD
Festa
E K
EK
Davis
J D
JD
Daiello
L A
LA
Morris
J C
JC
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors