This work assessed self-reported driving rates in 297 old people (mean age 74.6 years) and correlated this data with cognitive status and physician recognition of cognitive impairment. Cognitive function was assessed by physician interview using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) and proxy informant data. Subjects' self-reported driving status and outpatient medical records were reviewed. 60% of the studied population reported that they currently drove. This rate decreased from 73.3% for subjects with good CASI performance, to 37.5% for subjects with intermediate CASI performance, and further to 23.7% for subjects with poor CASI performance. Further analysis of drives with intermediate and poor CASI performance scores revealed that almost none of their physicians recognized that these drivers had cognitive problems. Low recognition rates could affect physician interventions to curb unsafe driving.
Abstract