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Sedative hypnotic medication use and the risk of motor vehicle crash

Author

Listed:
  • Hansen, R.N.
  • Boudreau, D.M.
  • Ebel, B.E.
  • Grossman, D.C.
  • Sullivan, S.D.

Abstract

Objectives. We sought to estimate the association between sedative hypnotic use and motor vehicle crash risk. Methods. We conducted a new user cohort study of 409 171 adults in an integrated health care system. Health plan data were linked to driver license and collision records. Participants were aged 21 years or older, licensed to drive in Washington State, had at least 1 year of continuous enrollment between 2003 and 2008, and were followed until death, disenrollment, or study end. We used proportional hazards regression to estimate the risk of crash associated with 3 sedatives. Results. We found 5.8% of patients received new sedative prescriptions, with 11 197 person-years of exposure. New users of sedatives were associated with an increased risk of crash relative to nonuse: temazepam hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.85, 1.91), trazodone HR = 1.91 (95% CI = 1.62, 2.25), and zolpidem HR = 2.20 (95% CI = 1.64, 2.95). These risk estimates are equivalent to blood alcohol concentration levels between 0.06% and 0.11%. Conclusions. New use of sedative hypnotics is associated with increased motor vehicle crash risk. Clinicians initiating sedative hypnotic treatment should consider length of treatment and counseling on driving risk. © 2015, American Public Health Association Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Citation

  • Hansen, R.N. & Boudreau, D.M. & Ebel, B.E. & Grossman, D.C. & Sullivan, S.D., 2015. "Sedative hypnotic medication use and the risk of motor vehicle crash," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(8), pages 64-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2015.302723_6
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302723
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