The Impact of Medical and Non-Medical Prescription Opioid Use on Motor Vehicle Collision Risk

摘要

Background: Production and distribution of prescription opioid analgesic drugs (POs) hasincreased immensely across the globe. Both medical (MPO) and non-medical (NMPO) use ofopioid medication are associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality, includingpossibly motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). The current study examined data from a populationlevelsurvey to determine the impact of any PO, MPO, and NMPO use on MVC risk. To the bestof the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies have contrasted MPO or NMPO use in terms oftheir impact on driver performance.Methods: Data were based on the 2010-2011 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor, aregionally stratified general-population telephone survey of adults (N = 3,428). Three binarylogistic regressions of self-reported collision involvement in the previous 12 months wereconducted, each consisting of: (1) measures of demographic characteristics, driving exposure,and binge drinking; and (2) one of three measures of PO use (any PO use, MPO use, or NMPOuse).Results: Any PO use and MPO use were associated with increased MVC risk (Odds Ratios =1.60 and 1.62, respectively). The odds ratio for NMPO use approached significance (Odds Ratio= 1.86, p = .09), also suggesting increased MVC risk.Conclusions: These results suggested that doctor-prescribed PO use is associated with a 62%increase in MVC risk. NMPO use may also be associated with increased MVC risk. Themagnitude of increased MVC risk associated with PO use was comparable to that of drivingafter alcohol or cannabis use. These results support the need for further research of the impactof MPO and NMPO use on MVC risk, which may have wide-ranging implications for physicians’ instructions to those patients prescribed opioid medications, and both legislation and publicpolicy concerning drugged driving worldwide.