Subjective cognitive complaints and vehicle driving. (P6.184)

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to apply Argentinian Society of Neurology vehicle driving guideline in patients with and without cognitive complaints. BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment and dementia may have a negative impact on the ability to drive safely. In our country there is no standarized method of assessing dementia severity in relation to driving. Recently the Argentinian Society of Neurology has developed a guideline about this issue. Low values ​​of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (≤24), altered clock drawing test (≤5) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores 蠅 0.5 imply that the patient may not be able to drive safely according Argentinian Society of Neurology to guideline. DESIGN/METHODS: We interviewed 50 patients who attended the neurology clinic at Favaloro Foundation, who were 蠅50 years, and were currently driving. We asked them about demographic characteristics, cognitive complaints, and history of driving fines, reduction on driving distance or recent crashes. Cognitive screening was performed using MMSE, Clock drawing test and CDR. RESULTS: 50 patients, 76[percnt] men. Mean age 65,5 (50-91). No statistically significant differences in demographics were found between the two groups. 72[percnt] of the patients would not meet the recommendations for driving. A 100[percnt] of the the patients with cognitive complaints (n=24) and 46.2[percnt] of patients without cognitive deficits (n=26) would not be able to drive according to the guideline recommendations (p=0.000). We found no significant differences between the groups in terms of accidents (12.5[percnt] vs 15.4[percnt], p=0.76), fines (29.2[percnt] vs 30.8[percnt], p=0.90) or reduction in driving distance (45.8[percnt] vs 23.1[percnt], p=0.09 ). CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, cognitive complaints may indicate impaired driving skills. When a patient refers subtle cognitive complains, neurologist should take this into account in order to make an accurate recommendations about driving privileges. Study Supported by: Disclosure: Dr. Pagani Cassara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gonzalez Toledo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pagani Cassara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tamargo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thomson has nothing to disclose. Dr. O´Neill has nothing to disclose.