Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Driving restrictions following defibrillator implantation: a nationwide register-linked survey study on the impact on employment, daily living, and driving behaviour
Authors' conclusion
Both professional and private driving restrictions affect the ability to maintain employment and have a negative impact on ICD recipients' daily living activities.
Study context
- Population
- Danish adults (≥18 years) with a first-time implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implanted 2013–20162,741 analysable
- Participants
- 3,913 adults
- Outcome
- Impact of driving restrictions after ICD implantation and ICD shock on employment, daily living, driving concerns and driving behaviour
Methodological detailsnationwide, register-linked survey
- Nationwide
- Register-linked survey
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Active professional drivers (n = 175) who lost their job as a direct consequence of driving restrictions
- 33%
- Working before ICD implantation (n = 465) reporting limitation in maintaining employment due to private driving restrictions
- 47%
- Restricted from driving ≥1 month reporting substantial impediment of daily living
- 26%
- Factor for substantial impediment: age <65 years
- OR 1.84 (95% CI 1.35-2.52)
- Factor for substantial impediment: higher income
- OR 1.47 (95% CI 1.05-2.05)
- Factor for substantial impediment: driving ≥7 h/week pre-implantation
- OR 1.66 (95% CI 1.23-2.24)
- Nervous about driving or altering driving habits
- 3-7%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Driving restrictions following defibrillator implantation: a nationwide register-linked survey study on the impact on employment, daily living, and driving behaviour. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 9 August 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →