Abstract
Background:Acute administration of caffeine produces panic attacks in most Panic Disorder (PD) patients, but little is known about chronic caffeine use in these patients.Objective:To assess caffeine use in patients with PD and to ascertain if caffeine consumption is associated with sociodemographic or clinical features.Methods:65 adults with PD and 66 healthy controls were included in the current study. Their caffeine intake within the previous week was quantified with a questionnaire and compared. Harmful caffeine use was defined as consumption above 400 mg/day of caffeine. We tested for correlations between caffeine intake, demographic and clinical features.Results:Patients consumed significantly more caffeine than controls (P < 0.001). 14% (N = 9) of the PD patients made harmful use of caffeine. The use of caffeine-containing medications was observed in 40% (N = 26) of the PD patients and 6% (N = 4) of controls. Consumption of energy drinks was observed in 11% (N = 7) of PD patients and in none of the healthy subjects. Patients reported sleeping significantly less than controls (P < 0.001). In PD patients, caffeine consumption was not correlated with the presence of panic attacks or comorbidity with depression. The use of benzodiazepines or sedative medications was not correlated with caffeine intake.Conclusion:High caffeine consumption in PD patients could be explained by the development of tolerance with regular use of this substance. Subtypes of sensitive and non-sensitive PD patients could also explain why some of these patients are able to tolerate high doses of caffeine.
Highlights
Panic Disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks (PA), fear of causes and consequences of these attacks, and avoidance [1]
High caffeine consumption in PD patients could be explained by the development of tolerance with regular use of this substance
Subtypes of sensitive and non-sensitive PD patients could explain why some of these patients are able to tolerate high doses of caffeine
Summary
Panic Disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks (PA), fear of causes and consequences of these attacks, and avoidance [1] Patients with this disorder are sensitive to anxiogenic/panicogenic affects of many substances, including lactate, carbon dioxide, cholecystokinin, yohimbine, and even antidepressants [2 - 4]. Panic Disorder and Chronic Caffeine Use. Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health, 2019, Volume 15 121 and arousal, physical resistance, improvement of mood, tolerance to sleep deprivation and to pain, sociability, and wellbeing [7]. Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health, 2019, Volume 15 121 and arousal, physical resistance, improvement of mood, tolerance to sleep deprivation and to pain, sociability, and wellbeing [7] It is consumed in foods and beverages, such as chocolate, cocoa, soft drinks, coffee, tea, yerba mate and energy drinks. Acute administration of caffeine produces panic attacks in most Panic Disorder (PD) patients, but little is known about chronic caffeine use in these patients
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