Gender effect on driving cessation in pre-dementia and dementia phases: results of the 3C population-based study

ObjectivesAging entails deterioration in sensory, physical, and cognitive functions, raising doubt in the driving capacity of older drivers, especially when the deficits are severe, as in dementia. Many older drivers, especially women, adapt their driving habits in order to compensate for these deficits and eventually stop driving. The present prospective study assessed driving cessation in men and women throughout the dementia process, including a 2-year pre-dementia phase. MethodsThe study was based on a three-city cohort of subjects who were aged 65years and older in 2000 and followed for more than 10years. Active dementia detection was conducted at each follow-up. The probability of driving cessation was assessed in men and women during the 2-year pre-dementia phase and until 5years after diagnosis. ResultsIn the 2-year pre-dementia phase, both men and women ceased driving earlier than drivers with no central nervous system pathology (p<0,001), and women ceased driving earlier than men. A total of 45% of men and 74% of women had already ceased driving at dementia diagnosis. In contrast, the probability of cessation within 3years after diagnosis was similar between men and women. ConclusionThe study showed that, in this French urban population, few demented drivers, especially women, were still driving after diagnosis. Those who continued to drive 3years after the diagnosis all had Alzheimer-type dementia. There is certainly a need for physicians to help these drivers to adapt their driving activity to their deficits and to prepare them to stop driving. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.