Abstract

CAMPO-ARIAS, ADALBERTO  and  HERAZO, EDWIN. HEADACHE AS A SYMPTOM OF CAFFEINE ABSTINENCE: A POPULATION - BASED STUDY. rev.fac.med [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.2, pp.176-183. ISSN 0121-5256.

Headache is a common symptom among the general population. However, in Colombia this symptom has not been investigated during abstinence to caffeine. The objective of this study was to find out the frequency of headache as a symptom of caffeine abstinence and its associated variables, according to gender, among adults between 18 and 65 years of age in Bucaramanga, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of adult daily coffee drinkers during the last month. Logistical regression was used to adjust the variables associated with headache a symptom of caffeine abstinence, according to gender. A total of 1.119 people reported daily coffee intake. The mean age was 41.0 years, and mean level of education 8.4 years. 69.0% were females; 60.1% were married or free union, 49.9% had a remunerated employment, 66.0% were in a high or middle socioeconomic status and 28.7% referred headache related to caffeine abstinence. Among women, variables associated with headache were drinking three o more cups of coffee per day (OR=3.51, 95%CI 2.54-4.86), low education levels (OR=2.34, 95%CI 1.38-3.97), low socioeconomic status (OR=2.07, 95%CI 1.48-2.89), and age older than 45 years old (OR=1.43, 95%CI 1.03-2.00). Among men, the variables related to headache were common mental disorders (OR=3.46, 95%CI 1.62-7.37), and drinking three o more cups of coffee per day (OR=2.09, 95%CI 1.14-3.82). In conclusion, at least a third of adults report headache as a symptom of caffeine withdrawal. Headache was strongly associated with three o more cups of coffee per day in both women and men.

Keywords : headache; caffeine; substance withdrawal syndrome.