A comparative study of subjective experiences related to driving among outpatient psychotropic users and controls in Ragama, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aim: To identify and explore the impact of illness and medications on the driving of patients visiting an outpatient clinic. Method: A retrospective-cohort design was used. The data was collected using a semi-structured, intervieweradministered questionnaire among consecutive patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. An age, gender and vehicle matched control group was obtained. Result: A total of 2887 consecutive clinic patients were asked about driving and 57 (1.9%) who had driven a vehicle regularly during the last 12 months were included in the study group. A majority were in the 30-45 year category (47%). All were men and a majority were motor-bike riders (53%). Collision-accidents were experienced by 42% of participants during the last 12 months. Conclusion: The patient group had lower hours of driving per week, less subjectively claimed earning per day and more with at least one collision-accident during the past year compared to the control group.