Concussion, a form of mild traumatic brain injury, can significantly increase the risk of a subsequent motor vehicle crash, as reported by a new study published in BMJ Open.
Understanding concussion and driving
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy, sleep apnea, or substance use disorder, which cause cognitive and functional impairment, can potentially increase the risk of a motor vehicle crash.
Thoughtful counselling and medical care for people living with these conditions can potentially reduce traffic crashes and save lives. In some countries, policies mandate that clinicians provide safety warnings to patients who are not medically fit to drive due to functional deficits.
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head. The condition is associated with temporary deficits in functioning after which the affected person recovers. Symptoms sometimes last for weeks, including headaches, insomnia, dizziness, amnesia, fatigue, confusion, irritability, depression, delayed reaction time, and difficulty concentrating.
Although most people recover without long-term effects, there remains uncertainty about whether recovery is complete and whether there are no ongoing impairments. Another adversity is that a concussion can predispose patients to another concussion with further neurological consequences.
Given the potential association of concussion with neurocognitive and functional deficits, the current study aimed to explore whether a past concussion increases the risk of a subsequent traffic crash.
