caffeine consumption patterns and associated symptoms among medical students
1
Faculty of medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2445
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Abstract caffeine consumption patterns and associated symptoms among medical students 1 moussa mahamat ibne mahamat faculty of medicine cairo university in egypt
INTRODUCTION:
to investigation into caffeine overdose and energy drink intake patterns among medical students during exams
METHODS:
between december 5 and december 20 2025, a structured 14-item questionnaire was administered to medical students ranging from the first to the final academic year. the study aimed to evaluate caffeine consumption patterns and energy drink intake, with a specific focus on utilization during examination periods
RESULTS:
out of 529 invited students, 377 responded, yielding a response rate of 71.3%. the most prevalent source of caffeine consumption was coffee (81.2%), followed by soft drinks (31.2%), tea (25.3%), and chocolate. furthermore, 89 students reported the use of pharmacological aids, including anti-sleep medications and stimulants. within this subgroup, 80% noted a concurrent reliance on analgesics for headache relief. high proportion of participants reported experiencing caffeine-related adverse effects. the most frequently cited symptoms included increased urinary frequency (30.6%), palpitations (29.4%), insomnia (25.9%), anxiety (27.1%), hyperactivity (22.4%), and attention deficit (21.12%). notably, 45.7% of respondents reported experiencing at least two concurrent symptoms, while 24.7% experienced three or more.
CONCLUSIONS:
caffeine and energy drink consumption has emerged as a routine practice among medical students. second-year students represented the highest proportion of consumers (40%), followed by first-year students (30%). alarmingly, 30% of the participants exceeded the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for caffeine. the majority of students presented with symptomatology ranging from one to three or more adverse effects due to excessive intake. these findings underscore an urgent need for institutional awareness campaigns, public health interventions, and the implementation of restrictive policies and warning labels regarding these substances. keywords: caffeine consumption, examination stress, substance-related disorders, psychosomatic symptoms
Abstract caffeine consumption patterns and associated symptoms among medical students 1 moussa mahamat ibne mahamat faculty of medicine cairo university in egypt
INTRODUCTION:
to investigation into caffeine overdose and energy drink intake patterns among medical students during exams
METHODS:
between december 5 and december 20 2025, a structured 14-item questionnaire was administered to medical students ranging from the first to the final academic year. the study aimed to evaluate caffeine consumption patterns and energy drink intake, with a specific focus on utilization during examination periods
RESULTS:
out of 529 invited students, 377 responded, yielding a response rate of 71.3%. the most prevalent source of caffeine consumption was coffee (81.2%), followed by soft drinks (31.2%), tea (25.3%), and chocolate. furthermore, 89 students reported the use of pharmacological aids, including anti-sleep medications and stimulants. within this subgroup, 80% noted a concurrent reliance on analgesics for headache relief. high proportion of participants reported experiencing caffeine-related adverse effects. the most frequently cited symptoms included increased urinary frequency (30.6%), palpitations (29.4%), insomnia (25.9%), anxiety (27.1%), hyperactivity (22.4%), and attention deficit (21.12%). notably, 45.7% of respondents reported experiencing at least two concurrent symptoms, while 24.7% experienced three or more.
CONCLUSIONS:
caffeine and energy drink consumption has emerged as a routine practice among medical students. second-year students represented the highest proportion of consumers (40%), followed by first-year students (30%). alarmingly, 30% of the participants exceeded the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for caffeine. the majority of students presented with symptomatology ranging from one to three or more adverse effects due to excessive intake. these findings underscore an urgent need for institutional awareness campaigns, public health interventions, and the implementation of restrictive policies and warning labels regarding these substances. keywords: caffeine consumption, examination stress, substance-related disorders, psychosomatic symptoms
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
