Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of a driving questionnaire data collection tool to assist in the ongoing monitoring and identification of issues that could compromise the ability of a person with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) to drive safely.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition, with motor and non-motor symptoms that could impact on ability to drive. Core driving skills could be affected by problems with visuospatial awareness, cognitive and motor impairment, and daytime somnolence (1). In the United Kingdom (UK) there is a legal requirement for PwP to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about their diagnosis, and for ongoing monitoring of fitness to drive (2). Inconsistent documentation could affect the driving licence renewal process and influence renewal or withdrawal of the licence. To assist this process, a Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist (PDNS) regional group compiled a 12 item PD driving questionnaire.

Methods: In this ongoing project, 3 PDNS from primary and secondary care settings will review 100 PD driving questionnaires. The 100 PwP all hold a current UK driving licence and undertaken the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS). The data will be gathered by the PDNS at each centre as part of routine clinical review, to identify information that may contribute to the assessment of the individuals driving competency.

Results: To date, 10 patients, (70% male, mean age 68.8 years ± 4.3 years, mean disease duration 5.2 years ± 4.4 years, and a median Hoehn and Yahr 2.5 range 2-4) have been reviewed. While 20% of PwP had not informed DVLA of diagnosis, 40% had not informed their insurance company, 30% had not had an eye test within the last 2 years and 10% reported difficulty with ankle flexibility. Range of MOCA score was 15/30 to 30/30, and ESS score was 0-15. In 90% the PwP confirmed the driving assessment tool had helped them to consider factors that could influence their driving performance.

Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest the PD driving questionnaire could facilitating enhanced monitoring and reporting, particularly through earlier recognition of issues that impact on competence and safety. It may also help to identify any variation across regions, and factors that may influence reporting to the DVLA, and we are now continuing to work on this project.

References: 1. Crizzle A., Classen S., & Uc E. (2012) Parkinson’s disease and driving: an evidence based review. Neurology 79(20) 2067-2074. 2. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2017) Parkinson’s disease in Adults NG 71 available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng71.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/evaluation-of-a-driving-questionnaire-to-facilitate-awareness-of-issues-that-could-compromise-driving-ability-in-a-person-with-parkinsons-disease/