Caffeine intoxication diagnostic criterion?

• A. 5 or more symptoms
• B. 3 or more symptoms
• C. 1 symptom
• D. 7 or more symptoms

Answer: (A)

Caffeine intoxication is diagnosed when recent caffeine use is followed by five or more of a specified set of symptoms that cause distress or impairment. This five-or-more threshold makes the diagnosis specific and avoids labeling ordinary caffeine effects as intoxication. Symptoms typically span physical, cognitive, and autonomic domains, such as restlessness, nervousness, excitement or psychomotor agitation, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle twitching, rambling flow of ideas, tachycardia or arrhythmia, and periods of inexhaustibility. If fewer than five symptoms are present, the presentation does not meet the diagnostic criteria, even if some symptoms are present.