Multiple Conditions Increase Preventable Crash Risks Among Truck Drivers in a Cohort Study

J Occup Environ Med. 2017 Feb;59(2):205-211. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000937.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to quantify the crash risk for truck drivers with multiple comorbid medical conditions, after adjusting for confounders.

Methods: This retrospective cohort of 38,184 drivers evaluated concomitant medical conditions and subsequent crash data between January 1, 2005, and October 31, 2012. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for any cause and preventable crashes of varying severity.

Results: Drivers with three or more medical conditions had a significantly increased risk of preventable Department of Transportation (DOT) reportable crashes (HR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.65 to 3.88) and preventable crashes with injuries (HR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.09 to 5.31) after adjustment for covariates. Similarly, adjusted HRs were 2.55 (95% CI = 1.37 to 4.73) for any cause DOT-reportable crashes and 3.21 (95% CI = 1.18 to 8.75) for any cause crashes with injuries.

Conclusions: Having three concomitant medical conditions may be a statistically significant risk factor for preventable and any cause DOT-reportable crashes and crashes with injuries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / prevention & control
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease / epidemiology*
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Vehicles*
  • Occupational Health*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology