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Delirium and Self-Reported Driving Behaviors and Outcomes After Critical Illness
Valerie Danesh1,2, Brittany D Work3,4, Denise F Chen3,5
1Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas.
JAMA Network Open
|September 10, 2025
Summary
Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium did not impact long-term driving skills in critical illness survivors. However, survivors reported reduced driving ability and transportation independence post-discharge, necessitating care planning considerations.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Survivors of critical illness frequently experience persistent functional deficits, impacting daily activities like driving.
- Understanding the long-term consequences of critical illness, particularly on driving ability, is crucial for patient recovery and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent association between intensive care unit (ICU) delirium and long-term driving behaviors in critical illness survivors.
- To assess changes in driving skills and behaviors years after critical illness.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, longitudinal cohort study involving 151 critical illness survivors surveyed 2-6 years post-discharge.
- Assessment of self-rated driving skill (Driver Skill Inventory) and risky driving behaviors (Mini Driver Behavior Questionnaire).
- Analysis of the association between delirium duration and driving outcomes, controlling for other factors.
Main Results:
- ICU delirium duration was not independently linked to long-term driving skill or risky driving behaviors.
- Survivors reported significantly lower driving distances, driving skill, and safety orientation compared to pre-hospitalization estimates.
- These driving decrements persisted, particularly in older adults (≥65 years).
Conclusions:
- ICU delirium does not appear to independently affect long-term driving behaviors in critical illness survivors.
- Survivors experience significant, lasting reductions in transportation independence and driving skills post-discharge.
- Clinicians should address transportation limitations in short- and long-term care planning for critical illness survivors.
