Coffee and caffeine intake in relation to symptoms of psychological disorders among adults

OBJECTIVE: Given that there is an inconsistency in the findings related to the relationship between coffee and caffeine consumption and symptoms of psychological disorders, we performed a cross-sectional analysis to examine the association between coffee and caffeine intake and symptoms of psychological disorders among adults. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 3362 participants were included. We assessed the coffee and caffeine intakes using a self-completed FFQ. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and General Health Questionnaire screening tools. SETTING: Fifty different healthcare centres located in the province of Isfahan, Iran. PARTICIPANTS: This study was performed on 3362 Iranian general adults working in healthcare centres. RESULTS: The mean age of participants in this study was 36·2 ± 7·8 years. After controlling for potential confounders, individuals who consumed coffee weekly or more had a significantly lower odds of symptoms of depression (OR 0·67; 95 % CI (0·46, 0·96)) and symptoms of anxiety (OR 0·57; 95 % CI (0·34, 0·95)) compared with those who did not consume coffee. However, no significant association was found between coffee intake and symptoms of psychological distress (OR 0·98; 95 % CI (0·68, 1·42)). No significant relationship was found between caffeine intake and odds of symptoms of depression (OR 0·94; 95 % CI (0·75, 1·16)), symptoms of anxiety (OR 0·90; 95 % CI (0·67, 1·20)) and symptoms of psychological distress (OR 1·13; 95 % CI (0·89, 1·42)). CONCLUSION: Compared with lack of coffee intake, weekly or more coffee consumption might be correlated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.