Meta-analysis of Driving Cessation and Dementia: Does Sex Matter?

This meta-analysis is the first of its kind to study sex differences in driving cessation among individuals with and without dementia. Drs. Mary Tierney, Mark Rapoport, Gary Naglie, and Ms. Nicolette Baines found that driving cessation is significantly more prevalent in women with dementia than men. What’s more, the same pattern was found in men and women without dementia. Their review highlights the need for more research on the reasons for the observed sex differences, which may be due to biological sex differences as well as gender differences in roles and relationships between men and women. Longitudinal studies are also needed in order to estimate the incidence of sex differences in driving cessation in participants who have undergone diagnostic assessments to both include and exclude dementia. These longitudinal studies should also compare driving cessation in regions with different population densities and transportation options, the researchers explain. Above all, their findings show that sex and gender differences may have important implications for supportive responses offered to drivers with dementia both prior to and following driving cessation.