News in brief - July 7, 2003

Safety issues for older drivers - Study to look at incidence of autism - Reducing adolescent hormone abuse

Safety issues for older drivers

Physicians should increase their knowledge of medical conditions and medications that can impair the driving ability of older patients, familiarize themselves with driver assessment and rehabilitation possibilities, and follow their state's reporting requirements for impaired drivers, according to a Council on Scientific Affairs report adopted at the AMA's Annual Meeting in June.

"This will help physicians deal with a problem that is very common and very difficult," said Melvyn L. Sterling, MD, a member of the council and an internist from Orange, Calif.

Most delegates praised the policy, although several raised concerns about the reporting issues. They questioned what they were supposed to do with the information, particularly if the recommendation is to cease driving and the patient refuses.

"In our state if a driver is mentally competent but impaired, in the opinion of the physician, in their ability to drive, state law prevents us, unless the patient gives permission, to report that person to family or the DMV," said Julie A. Komarow, MD, an alternate delegate and family practice physician from Covington, Wash.

This month, the AMA Web site will include the "Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers," an office-based assessment of driving skills, a reference table of conditions that can impact driving ability, counseling recommendations and a state-by-state guide to licensing requirement and reporting laws.

Study to look at incidence of autism

The AMA will work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and specialty societies to investigate the suspected increase in pervasive developmental disorders, according to policy adopted at last's month's Annual Meeting in Chicago.

"There's considerable confusion in the general public regarding the apparent increase in the incidence of autism, Asperger's and other pervasive developmental disorders," said David Fassler, MD, AMA delegate for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "An impartial scientific review would be extremely helpful."

Reducing adolescent hormone abuse

Hormone abuse by adolescents is on the increase and steps should be taken to reduce this problem, according to a Council on Scientific Affairs report adopted at the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago last month.

The policy states the AMA should collaborate with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Hormone Foundation and relevant medical societies to create a nationwide campaign to decrease the number of teens who abuse hormones to improve athletic performance. The organization will monitor trends in adolescent hormone use and will also support legislation to reclassify anabolic steroid precursors as prescription drugs subject to the controlled substances act. They are currently regulated as supplements under the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act.