Caffeine Consumption and Its Related Symptoms in University Students.
- Author:
Byung Hun LEE
1
;
Yong Soon PARK
;
Jun Su KIM
;
Jun Hyun YOO
;
Jung Kwon LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. drjhn.yoo@samsung.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
caffeine consumption;
dependence;
withdrawal;
intoxication
- MeSH:
Anxiety;
Caffeine*;
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;
Diuresis;
Fatigue;
Headache;
Humans;
Korea;
Nicotine;
Prevalence;
Primary Health Care;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders;
Sleep Stages;
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome;
Tachycardia;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine
2007;28(1):9-16
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Although caffeine is commonly consumed substance and not seriously harmful as compared to alcohol and nicotine, Korea is planning to mark on the products which contain caffeine above a definite level with "containing large amounts caffeine". At this point in time, the study concerning caffeine related symptoms is in need. METHODS: After surveying university students by using self-administered questionnaires based on DSM-IV substance related disorder, healthy 810 subjects were assessed for socio-demographic characteristics and features of caffeine intake and its dependence, withdrawal, and intoxication. RESULTS: The mean amount of caffeine consumption in 810 subjects was 120.49 mg (median=93.0) per day. The major features of caffeine dependence were as follows: tolerance (61.1%), withdrawal (46.3%), using more or longer than intended (46.0%), and unsuccessful attempt to cut down or control use (12.6%). The prevalence was increased by daily caffeine consumption. Among 711 subjects who had experienced no caffeine consumption over 24 hours {amount of daily caffeine consumption was 116.0 mg (median=86.5)}, 6.19% showed significant distress in usual activity, and 22.1% used caffeine contents to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The prevalence of caffeine withdrawal based on DSM-IV research criteria was 2.67% and the frequency for symptoms were as follows: fatigue (37.7%), drowsiness (17.6%), headache (14.5%), an anxiety (8.3%). In addition, the prevalence of caffeine intoxication was 2.1% and the frequency for symptoms were as follows: insomnia (41.9%), diuresis (35.8%), tachycardia (26.7%), and gastrointestinal disturbance (23.3%). CONCLUSION: The unwanted symptoms related to caffeine withdrawal or intoxication were common in students using caffeine. Therefore, major features of caffeine-related symptoms should be considered in primary care practice.
