Syncope and Traffic Crash: A Population-Based Case-Crossover Analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Traffic Safety

Background:

• Recurrent syncope (fainting) in drivers poses a potential risk for motor vehicle crashes.
• Existing driving restrictions are based on the assumption that syncope transiently elevates crash risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if syncope is associated with a transient increase in the risk of motor vehicle crashes among drivers.

Main Methods:

• A case-crossover analysis utilized linked health and driving data from British Columbia, Canada (2010-2015).
• Drivers with emergency department visits for syncope and involvement in a crash were analyzed.
• Conditional logistic regression compared syncope emergency visits in the 28 days before a crash versus control periods.

Main Results:

• Syncope was not significantly associated with an increased risk of subsequent traffic crashes (1.6% vs 1.2%; adjusted OR, 1.27; P=0.18).
• No significant association was found in subgroups at higher risk, including individuals over 65, those with cardiovascular disease, or cardiac syncope.

Conclusions:

• An emergency department visit for syncope did not demonstrate a transient increase in subsequent traffic collision risk.
• Current driving restrictions for individuals with syncope appear sufficient to manage associated crash risks.