Diabetes and driving

Abstract

More than 69 million Indians are suffering from diabetes, of which a substantial proportion of the population are currently holding or will seek in the future the license to drive. Driving essentially requires multitasking with visuospatial skills at the same time and thus the management of diabetes in individuals which should demonstrate a proper detection and treatment of diabetes-related hypoglycemia will predict the capacity of driving any motor vehicle. Repeated hypoglycemia-related neuroglycopenia causes increased risk of neurocognitive dysfunction leading to visuospatial skills deficiency. Eight percent of dementia may be attributed to diabetes. Potential causes of driving impairment associated with diabetes are acute hypoglycemia, and its unawareness, retinopathy, neuropathy related to foot that affects ability to use pedals, IHD, cerebrovascular disease, somnolence and sleep disorder associated with obesity, use of pain relieving medications and antidepressant, and cognitive dysfunction and thus should be reviewed properly before issuing a driving license. Medical evaluation and documentation of acute and chronic complications of drivers by a registered medical practitioner at pre-determined intervals may be considered as a legal necessity to identify at-risk drivers. Secretagogues have a higher incidence of hypoglycemia compared to someone who is on metformin alone. On the other hand, hypoglycemia is more frequent in an insulin-treated patient of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In many countries as well as in European Union (EU), it is necessary to review medical fitness in every 3 years by the authority; a person should not have any severe hypoglycemic event in preceding 12 months and a driver must have awareness of hypoglycemia and its management. According to Canadian diabetes association consensus statement, review should be done every 2 years; a person should not have any severe hypoglycemic event in preceding 6 months, and according to ADA position statement evaluation should be done every 2–5 years. Medical fitness certificate should be reviewed at frequent intervals; the authorities should enforce strict regulation on suspension and revocation of driving license. Information to the authorities should be promptly done by doctors or patients. Decision should be based on medical evaluation, but hypoglycemia that occurs due to medication change and during sleep does not warrant for disqualification as it may be corrected with proper dietary changes and dose adjustments. Any driver with suspended license should be re-assessed in the next 6 months for their medical fitness and hypoglycemic profile and if found suitable, the license can be revoked. Physicians should participate and should assess patient’s physical and mental status, medical condition and treatment, list of medications which may impair driving performance, and any disease-related complication that lead to impaired driving or dangerous driving. Patient education is the most important factor to prevent any motor accident related to their medical condition and should be trained to prevent acute and chronic complications of diabetes.