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2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

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15.4 Effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on functional ability <strong>to</strong>driveResearch <strong>in</strong>dicates that <strong>in</strong>dividuals with COPD are at risk of cognitive impairment due <strong>to</strong> chronichypoxemia. For those with cognitive impairment, the impairment tends <strong>to</strong> be greater for morecomplex and demand<strong>in</strong>g cognitive tasks. This cognitive impairment may affect an <strong>in</strong>dividual’sfunctional ability <strong>to</strong> drive.Individuals with COPD also may develop general debility result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a loss of stam<strong>in</strong>a required<strong>to</strong> support the functions necessary for driv<strong>in</strong>g.Older <strong>in</strong>dividuals with COPD are more at-risk for functional impairment because they mayexperience: age-related decl<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong> blood flow <strong>to</strong> the bra<strong>in</strong> disease-related decl<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong> arterial oxygen content, and both age and disease-related decl<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong> physical activity which can exacerbatedecondition<strong>in</strong>g.ConditionType of driv<strong>in</strong>gimpairment andassessment approachPrimary functionalability affectedAssessment <strong>to</strong>olsCOPD orotherrespira<strong>to</strong>rydiseasePersistent Impairment:Functional assessmentCognitiveMay also result <strong>in</strong>general debility<strong>Drive</strong>r’s MedicalExam<strong>in</strong>ation ReportIC<strong>BC</strong> road testCognitive screen<strong>in</strong>g<strong>to</strong>ols such as;MOCA, MMSE,SIMARD-MD,Trails A or B<strong>Drive</strong>ABLEassessment15.5 CompensationIndividuals with COPD may be able <strong>to</strong> compensate for their functional impairment by us<strong>in</strong>gsupplemental oxygen.140

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