A comparative study of subjective experiences related to driving among outpatient psychotropic users and controls in Ragama, Sri Lanka

Background Difficulties in driving may occur due to the effects of psychiatric disorders or psychotropic medications. Aim To identify and explore the impact of illness and medications on the driving of patients visiting an outpatient clinic. Method A retrospective-cohort design was used. The data was collected using a semi-structured, intervieweradministered questionnaire among consecutive patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. An age, gender and vehicle matched control group was obtained. Result A total of 2887 consecutive clinic patients were asked about driving and 57 (1.9%) who had driven a vehicle regularly during the last 12 months were included in the study group. A majority were in the 30-45 year category (47%). All were men and a majority were motor-bike riders (53%). Collision-accidents were experienced by 42% of participants during the last 12 months. Conclusion The patient group had lower hours of driving per week, less subjectively claimed earning per day and more with at least one collision-accident during the past year compared to the control group.