Self-reported issues with driving in patients with chronic pain

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Pain Management
• Transportation Safety

Background:

• Chronic pain significantly impacts daily life, including mobility and independence.
• Driving is a crucial activity for maintaining autonomy and quality of life for many individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the driving habits, patterns, and barriers experienced by patients with chronic pain.
• To understand the relationship between chronic pain and driving ability.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaires.
• 223 patients from a university-affiliated hospital's Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Service participated.

Main Results:

• 79% of patients were current drivers; 56% of non-drivers stopped due to pain.
• 70% of drivers reported pain limiting their driving; common barriers included pain, fatigue, and stiffness.
• Nondrivers reported higher pain levels and disability scores than drivers.

Conclusions:

• Most individuals with chronic pain continue to drive, demonstrating better overall functioning than non-drivers.
• Despite driving, many face challenges with vehicle entry, positioning, and the act of driving itself.
• Chronic pain's impact on driving is significant but often overlooked, except in contexts like opioid use.