Zolpidem use and motor vehicle collisions in older drivers.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Prescription sleep medication use is most prevalent among women and older adults. Morning drowsiness and impaired coordination are side effects of sleep medications that may affect driving safety. The association between current use of zolpidem-containing medications and motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) was evaluated among drivers of advanced age.

Methods

Participants were current drivers aged ≥70 years residing in north-central Alabama, spoke English, had a valid driver's license, and had driven within the past three months (n = 2000). Current zolpidem use was determined by pill bottle review. The participant's five-year MVC history was determined from Alabama Department of Public Safety accident reports. The five-year MVC and at-fault MVC rate ratios (RR) were est

SUBMITTER: Booth JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4913027 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature