Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess the driving habits, driving patterns, and barriers to
driving reported by patients with chronic pain. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mail
survey with self-administered questionnaires. SETTING: University-affiliated
hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 223 patients seen in consultation by a
physiatrist through the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Service. INTERVENTIONS: Not
applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Percentage of subjects who were current
drivers, percentage of subjects experiencing difficulty with driving, and driving
characteristics. RESULTS: Response rate was 48.9%. Of the subjects, 79% were
current drivers; of the nondrivers, 56% reported stopping driving because of
chronic pain. A significantly greater percentage of nondrivers (80%) than drivers
(62.9%) were women (P = .039). Nondrivers reported greater levels of pain than
drivers (P = .027). The mean Pain Disability Index total score was significantly
lower for drivers (42.3) than for nondrivers (48.7; P = .006). Of all subjects,
70% indicated that pain limited their driving in some manner; 41% of this group
indicated that they experienced quite a bit or a great deal of difficulty
driving. Factors that limited driving included pain (88.9%), fatigue (50.6%),
limited joint mobility/stiffness (48.3%), and weakness (19.4%). The most
frequently reported difficulties related to driving were sitting for any length
of time (79.6%) and getting into the driver's seat (66.5%). Only 2.4% of current
drivers had been referred for a driving assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Most people with
chronic pain continue to drive and overall appear to have better functioning than
those who cannot continue driving because of chronic pain. Despite being able to
drive, a significant proportion of drivers with chronic pain are facing
challenges not only with driving the vehicle but also with entering and
positioning themselves within the vehicle. Our results suggest that chronic pain
does have an impact on driving. However, it appears to be generally unrecognized
as a factor for driving other than when the implications of opioid use are
considered.
CI - Copyright A(c) 2012 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS