Road trauma linked with childhood disruptive behavior disorders in males

January 01, 0001

Road trauma linked with childhood disruptive behavior disorders in males

Teenage male drivers contribute to a large number of serious road crashes despite low rates of driving and excellent physical health. The researchers from Canada examined the amount of road trauma involving teenage male youth that might be explained by prior disruptive behavior disorders (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder). They conducted a population-based case-control study of consecutive male youth between age 16 and 19 years hospitalized for road trauma (cases) or appendicitis (controls) in Ontario, Canada over 7 years (April 1, 2002 through March 31, 2009). Using universal health care databases, they identified prior psychiatric diagnoses for each individual during the decade before admission. Overall, a total of 3,421 patients were admitted for road trauma (cases) and 3,812 for appendicitis (controls).

A history of disruptive behavior disorders was significantly more frequent among trauma patients than controls (767 of 3,421 versus 664 of 3,812), equal to a one-third increase in the relative risk of road trauma (odds ratio = 1.37, significant). The risk was evident over a range of settings and after adjustment for measured confounders (odds ratio 1.38). The risk explained about one-in-20 crashes, was apparent years before the event, extended to those who died, and persisted among those involved as pedestrians.

The researchers concluded: "Disruptive behavior disorders explain a significant amount of road trauma in teenage male youth. Programs addressing such disorders should be considered to prevent injuries."

Sounds like an alert to licensing bodies. How would programs, as suggested, address this? More likely of interest to insurers.

For the full abstract, click here.

PLoS Med 7(11):e1000369 © 2010 Redelmeier et al
Road Trauma in Teenage Male Youth with Childhood Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Population Based Analysis. Donald A. Redelmeier, William K. Chan and Hong Lu. Correspondence to Donald A. Redelmeier: Donald Redelmeier

Category: P. Psychological. Keywords: road trauma, teenage, male, youth, childhood, disruptive behavior disorders, population-based case-control study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 7 Janauary 2011

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