@article{ref1,
title="Driving performance of depressed patients who are untreated or receive long-term antidepressant (SSRI/SNRI) treatment",
journal="Pharmacopsychiatry",
year="2017",
author="van der Sluiszen, Nick N. J. J. M. and Wingen, Marleen and Vermeeren, Annemiek and Vinckenbosch, Frederick and Jongen, Stefan and Ramaekers, Johannes G.",
volume="50",
number="5",
pages="182-188",
abstract="Introduction Depression is a mental disorder likely to affect everyday functions. The present study aimed to assess actual driving performance of depressed patients who were without specific antidepressant treatment or received long-term antidepressant treatment. <br><br>METHODS A standardized on-the-road driving test was used to assess standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP) in 3 patient groups receiving either no antidepressant treatment (with or without benzodiazepine medication) or treatment with selective serotonin/noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors for a period of 6-52 weeks. Severity of depression was assessed using Beck's Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The performance of patient groups was compared to healthy controls. <br><br>RESULTS The mean SDLP of untreated and treated patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls. Driving impairment in the long-term treated group was significantly less than in the untreated groups. SDLP was positively correlated to severity of depression across all groups. <br><br>DISCUSSION It is concluded that symptoms of depression are a major cause of driving impairment. Reductions in severity of depression through antidepressant treatment reduce severity of driving impairment.<br><br>© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0176-3679",
doi="10.1055/s-0043-111600",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-111600"
}