Driving with diabetes: What is the Portuguese doctors’ and patients’ knowledge?

Abstract

a b s t r a c tIntroduction: In the last years there was an increasing interest about diabetes and driving. Nowadays there are strict rules for diabetic drivers in most countries. The aim of this study was to assess whether the patients and the doctors were aware of the rules and recommendations in Portugal. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was applied to diabetic patients who were drivers attending our center for 8 weeks. A web-based questionnaire was e-mailed to the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Portuguese Society and Diabetes Portuguese Society associates. Results: Ninety-three patients were surveyed. Only 20 patients had discussed this subject with their doctor and 69.9% thought there was not any risk to driving by being a diabetic. Twenty-nine percent never tests blood glucose prior to driving and for the majority it is safe to drive until blood glucose is 60 mg/dl. One patient reported a crash due to hypoglycemia. Eighty-eight doctors completed the questionnaire. Fourteen did not associate diabetes with an increased risk of car accidents and 59.1% discuss the driving and diabetes issue with less than 50% of their diabetic patients. Only 54% advise their patients to test blood glycaemia prior to driving and for 46.6% it is safe to drive with blood glucose lower than 90 mg/dl. Sixteen did not know recurrent hypoglycemia was a contraindication to driving and eight that impaired awareness of hypoglycemia might also be a contraindication. Discussion/conclusions: This study shows a lack of patients' knowledge about safe driving and the rules they must follow. In our opinion, it is fundamental to improve doctor's and patients' knowledge in this subject. Palavras-chave: Acidentes Conduç ão Diabetes Mellitus Complicaç ões da Diabetes Seguranç a r e s u m o Introduç ão: Nos últimos anos tem-se registado aumento do interesse sobre o tema Diabetes e Conduç ão. Existem regras definidas, na maioria dos países, para os condutores com diabetes. O objectivo deste estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento dos médicos e dos doentes sobre as regras e recomendaç ões vigentes em Portugal. Métodos: Foi aplicado um questionário anónimo aos doentes diabéticos condutores observados no nosso centro durante 8 semanas. Um questionário electrónico foi enviado aos sócios da Sociedade Portuguesa de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo e da Sociedade Portuguesa de Diabetes.Resultados: Foram inquiridos 93 doentes. Vinte haviam discutido este tema com o seu médico. Para 69,9% não há risco em conduzir sendo diabético, 29% nunca testam a glicemia capilar antes de iniciar a conduç ão e a maioria considerou ser seguro conduzir com um valor de glicemia até 60 mg/dl. Um doente referiu um acidente por hipoglicemia. Oitenta e oito médicos responderam ao questionário. Catorze não associavam a diabetes a aumento do risco de acidentes e 59,1% discutiam este tema com menos de 50% dos seus doentes diabéticos. Apenas 54% aconselhava a realizar pesquisa de glicemia antes de conduzir e 46,6% considera C. Moniz et al. / Rev Port Endocrinol Diabetes Met...