The impact of cognitive deficit on self‐reported car crashes in ultra‐octogenarian population: data of an Italian population‐based study. (20th July 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rozzini, Luca; Riva, Maddalena; Zanetti, Marina; Gottardi, Federica; Caratozzolo, Salvatore; Vicini Chilovi, Barbara; Trabucchi, Marco; Padovani, Alessandro
• Is Part Of: International journal of geriatric psychiatry. Volume 28:Number 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 562
• Page End: 566
• Publication Date: 2012-07-20
• Subjects: Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Geriatric Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.3857
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6230

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="gps3857-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To examine the usefulness of specific neurocognitive tests for predicting the crash involvement in ultra‐octogenarian population.</p> </sec> <sec id="gps3857-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A total of 800 subjects (mean age 82.4 + 3.1 years) underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests. Global intellectual functioning was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination, mental flexibility and information processing speed were assessed using the Trail Making Test parts A and B (TMT‐A and TMT‐B), long‐term memory was evaluated with the short story, and visuo‐spatial skills were tested with Clock Drawing Test. One year after this evaluation, 343 (43%) participants have been interviewed by a telephone call to know if they were currently driving and if they had a car crash during this period.</p> </sec> <sec id="gps3857-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Two hundred ninety‐seven subjects had their driving license renewed and completed the follow‐up 1 year after. Data shows that less than 11% of this group had a car crash during the first year of observation (<italic>Crash Involved</italic>). Older subjects involved in a car crash showed significant worse performances on TMT‐B (TMT‐B pathological <italic>Crash Involved</italic> vs. <italic>Noncrash Involved</italic> 47% vs. 27%; <italic>p</italic> = 0.02) and on short story (short story pathological <italic>Crash Involved</italic> vs. <italic>Noncrash Involved</italic> 19% vs. 5%; <italic>p</italic> = 0.02).</p> </sec> <sec id="gps3857-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Trail Making test B and short story have been demonstrated to provide a predictive value of driving performance of older people. Therefore, we suggest that a simple and standardized battery of neuropsychological tests, lasting about 30 min and administered by an experienced staff, is a good diagnostic instrument for risk prevention of driving activity of older drivers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>