Clinical Profile and Psychiatric Comorbidity of Treatment-Seeking Individuals with Pathological Gambling in South-Africa

Abstract

Pathological gambling is a prevalent and disabling mental illness, which is frequently associated with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. However, there is relatively little data on comorbidity in individuals with pathological gambling from low and middle income countries such as South-Africa. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to assess the frequency of DSM-IV-TR disorders among 100 male and 100 female treatment-seeking individuals with pathological gambling in South-Africa. The Sheehan Disability Scale was used to assess functional impairment. In a South-African sample of individuals with pathological gambling, the most frequent current comorbid psychiatric disorders were major depressive disorder (28%), anxiety disorders (25.5%) and substance use disorders (10.5 %). Almost half of the individuals had a lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder (46%). Female pathological gamblers were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a comorbid major depressive disorder or generalised anxiety disorder than their male counterparts. Data from South-Africa are consistent with previously published data from high income countries. Psychiatric comorbidity is common among individuals with pathological gambling.

Gambling in COVID-19 Lockdown in the UK: Depression, Stress, and Anxiety

“…However, the PPG group reported significantly higher baseline levels of depression pre-lockdown, and significantly higher duringlockdown depression scores. This finding is consistent with previous research that shows higher levels of depression in gamblers (12)(13)(14)(15). Furthermore, although gamblers were more depressed both pre-and during-lockdown, and all groups increased depression scores, the change scores, (i.e., the preto during-lockdown increases) did not differ between groups, indicating that the increase in depression was relatively uniform across the sample, and did not differ in magnitude between gambler groups.…”

“…Furthermore, depression, stress, and anxiety disorders are common in gamblers; elevated levels of depression and anxiety are frequently observed in treatment-seeking disordered gamblers (12)(13)(14)(15). A meta-analysis and systematic review of co-morbid mental health disorders in treatment seeking gamblers identified 36 studies, and reported that 23.1% of gamblers presented with a current mood disorder, 17.6% with an anxiety disorder, and 29.9% with a major depressive disorder (16).…”

Association Between Pathological Gambling and Depression in Korean Adults

“…High suicide attempt rates are a consequence of problem gambling [21]. The association between depression and problem gambling reported by several previous studies corresponded with the findings of the present study [23][24][25][26]. Gartner et al [18] showed that women are more likely to have an affective disorder than men, and they also have a higher rate of suicidality.…”

Comorbidity, family history and personality traits in pathological gamblers compared with healthy controls

“…Results support previous research showing that various types of substance-related problems and problem gambling co-occur. For example, pathological gamblers exhibit an elevated level of alcohol use disorders, nicotine dependence and other substance use disorders e.g., [1,67–70]. Alcohol use disorders and pathological gambling co-occur at a rate significantly exceeding that expected by chance in both community and treatment samples [71].…”