Caffeine and Suicide: A Systematic Review

Silva, Adriana Cardoso; Ribeiro, Natalia Pinho de Oliveira; Schier, Alexandre Rafael de Mello; Pereira, Valeska Martinho; Vilarim, Marina Machado; Pessoa, Tamires Marinho; Arias-Carrión, Óscar; Machado, Sérgio; Nardi, Antônio Egídio

doi:10.2174/1871527313666140612123656

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…However, the effects of these drinks on reducing fatigue and boosting energy are controversial and short-lasting [ 1 ]. Several studies have reported fatal effects of caffeine abuse including suicide, with some conflicting findings [ 7 ]; suicide attempts using high caffeine intoxication have been reported with blood caffeine concentrations reaching as high as 170 mg/l [ 8 ]. The main active compound of caffeine is one of the most popular substances worldwide, which has occasional potential to abuse [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High stress, lack of sleep, low school performance, and suicide attempts are associated with high energy drink intake in adolescents

2017

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ObjectiveAlthough an association between energy drinks and suicide has been suggested, few prior studies have considered the role of emotional factors including stress, sleep, and school performance in adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the association of energy drinks with suicide, independent of possible confounders including stress, sleep, and school performance.MethodsIn total, 121,106 adolescents with 13–18 years olds from the 2014 and 2015 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were surveyed for age, sex, region of residence, economic level, paternal and maternal education level, sleep time, stress level, school performance, frequency of energy drink intake, and suicide attempts. Subjective stress levels were classified into severe, moderate, mild, a little, and no stress. Sleep time was divided into 6 groups: < 6 h; 6 ≤ h < 7; 7 ≤ h < 8; 8 ≤ h < 9; and ≥ 9 h. School performance was classified into 5 levels: A (highest), B (middle, high), C (middle), D (middle, low), and E (lowest). Frequency of energy drink consumption was divided into 3 groups: ≥ 3, 1–2, and 0 times a week. The associations of sleep time, stress level, and school performance with suicide attempts and the frequency of energy drink intake were analyzed using multiple and ordinal logistic regression analysis, respectively, with complex sampling. The relationship between frequency of energy drink intake and suicide attempts was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis with complex sampling.ResultsHigher stress levels, lack of sleep, and low school performance were significantly associated with suicide attempts (each P < 0.001). These variables of high stress level, abnormal sleep time, and low school performance were also proportionally related with higher energy drink intake (P < 0.001). Frequent energy drink intake was significantly associated with suicide attempts in multiple logistic regression analyses (AOR for frequency of energy intake ≥ 3 times a week = 3.03, 95% CI = 2.64–3.49, P < 0.001).ConclusionSevere stress, inadequate sleep, and low school performance were related with more energy drink intake and suicide attempts in Korean adolescents. Frequent energy drink intake was positively related with suicide attempts, even after adjusting for stress, sleep time, and school performance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High stress, lack of sleep, low school performance, and suicide attempts are associated with high energy drink intake in adolescents

2017

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“…By documenting the frequency of use, reported side-effects and motivations behind consumption, it was possible to compare the obtained results with those of similar profile abroad. A study of energy drink consumption among college students attending a central Atlantic University in the USA found higher use in that area, with 51% of college students reporting consuming more than one drink per month [23]. Socio-economic or advertising prevalence could be factors contributing to this discrepancy, and future studies may seek to include such data in the surveys.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This information is relevant for the administrators of such institutions as they seek to understand what factors encourage stimulant usage. A frequently reported reason for energy drink consumption in the USA was to co-consume with alcohol while partying [23]. The growing trend of using energy boosting dietary supplements together with alcohol while partying is an increasing problem, and a future Polish study would benefit from exploring this issue [24,25].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are students at Krakow universities turning to energy-boosting dietary supplements?

Nessler¹,

Drwiła²,

Kwaśniak³

et al. 2020

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction. Recent studies have revealed an increase in the consumption of dietary supplements including frequency of use of caffeine, which is addictive and potentially harmful in higher doses. Energy drinks include high doses of caffeine and are particularly targeted at young people. Objective.The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of use of caffeine-containing energy products, associated factors and understanding the associated side-effects in university students. Materials and method. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among students of the 5 largest Universities in Krakow. Statistical significance was set at the 0.05 level. Results. Around 35% of respondents reported the use of different supplements including high doses of caffeine. Frequency of caffeine-containing products consumption was significantly higher in female students compering to males. Also, those respondents who originated from big cities were more likely to use caffeine-containing products. The study revealed that these substances were also more popular among those participants who study economics. Most students use these substances in order to reduce feeling tired and the duration of sleep, others mainly to increase concentration prior to examinations. Almost one fourth of the group who used these substances admitted to having experienced some sideeffects in the past. They suffered mainly from insomnia, but also from excessive stimulation and muscle trembling. Almost half of the substances users did not know of any potential side-effects. Conclusions. Attempts should be made to increase public awareness of the side-effects of these substances, particularly among the student population. These campaigns should be targeted especially at female students who come from bigger cities. This study is a step towards drawing attention to this issue.

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“…Death due to caffeine overdose is rare, due in part to its marked gastric irritation resulting in spontaneous emesis. Most of these cases are suicides and a recent review (Silva et al 2014) has demonstrated that, despite being an addictive substance and potentially fatal in higher doses, caffeine was still a rare factor in a number of studies concerning its relation with suicide attempts and death.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide by ingestion of caffeine

Aknouche

Guibert

Tessier

et al. 2017

Egypt J Forensic Sci

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BackgroundMr K, aged 48, was found sweating by his partner at home at 11.50 pm. He claimed to have attempted suicide. She immediately called the Emergency Unit to ask for support. At the phone, the physician on duty indicated her to give a pill of Lysanxia (prazepam) to decrease the level of stress of the victim. However, the clinical situation worsened and he was taken to the hospital at 1.00 am. At his arrival at 1.28 am he was in cardiac arrest. Despite intensive resuscitation manoeuvres, death was pronounced at 2.30 am. At home, an empty plastic bag with a 100 g caffeine label was found. The drug was bought via Internet 6 months earlier. External body examination and autopsy revealed the lack of any traumatic injury.FindingsDuring examination, the pathologist collected peripheral blood (femoral blood). This specimen was tested for ethanol, volatiles, pharmaceuticals and drugs of abuse, using head space GC/FID and GC/MS, ELISA, LC-DAD, GC/MS and LC/MS/MS. Ethanol tested negative in blood. Using a dedicated LC/MS/MS procedure, caffeine was identified at 401 mg/l, which can correspond to a fatal concentration. Nordiazepam, sertraline and fluoxetine, the prescribed medications of the victim, were identified at therapeutic concentrations, 188, 31, and 48 ng/ml, respectively. Amiodarone was also identified at high concentration (4200 ng/ml), part of the medical assistance of the rescue team.ConclusionThe manner of death was considered as acute intoxication with caffeine.

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Caffeine and Suicide: A Systematic Review

Cited by 21 publications

References 30 publications

High stress, lack of sleep, low school performance, and suicide attempts are associated with high energy drink intake in adolescents

High stress, lack of sleep, low school performance, and suicide attempts are associated with high energy drink intake in adolescents

Are students at Krakow universities turning to energy-boosting dietary supplements?

Suicide by ingestion of caffeine

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