Self-reported issues with driving in patients with chronic pain.

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.