Diagnosis Of Pathological Gambling Research Articles

A psychological autopsy study of pathological gamblers who died by suicide

Background Pathological gambling is associated with suicidal ideation and attempt. There is no known report on pathological gambling preceding suicide. By examining a series of 17 suicide cases with evidence of pathological gambling prior to death, we sought to generate hypotheses for further study of this under-researched but rapidly-increasing worldwide public health problem. Method Psychological autopsy interviews using a semi-structured format were conducted with proxy respondents for suicide and control subjects aged 15–59 years in Hong Kong SAR, China. Results Of the 150 suicides and 150 controls examined, 17 suicides (11.3%) and one control case (0.6%) met criteria for the diagnosis of pathological gambling at the time of death or interview. All 17 suicide cases with pathological gambling had unmanageable debt at the time of death. Fourteen cases (82.4%) had other associated psychiatric disorders, most often major depressive disorders ( n = 10, 58.9%) and substance-use disorders ( n = 3, 17.6%). None had ever received psychiatric treatment. Limitations Descriptive, retrospective case series with a small sample size. Conclusions Along with unmanageable debt, a high proportion of the suicide cases with pathological gambling also experienced other psychiatric illnesses, most often depression, at the time of death. None sought treatment for their addictive behavior or psychiatric illness prior to death. Pathological gambling is a modifiable risk factor for suicide for which means to enhance case identification and engagement in treatment are urgently needed. Clinicians treating depression should explore the presence of pathological gambling behavior or unmanageable debts among their patients. Addressing pathological gambling should be one important component of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy especially in countries where gambling activities are legalized and expanding.

Fréquence et facteurs de risque du jeu pathologique chez une population de joueurs à Casablanca

Pathological gambling is a major psychiatric disorder and a public health problem that has gained a lot of attention in the last few years. The problems caused by gambling are increasingly serious. The prevalence of pathological or compulsive gambling varies from 0.8 to 2% in Europe, Canada and the USA. A study has been conducted in different gambling spots in Casablanca to measure the frequency of pathological gambling in Morocco and to determine the risk factors and the socio-cultural factors associated with it. The collection of data was conducted in the most frequented gambling spots. The first part of the questionnaire permitted the gathering of the sociodemographic characteristics and drug addictions as well as the psychiatric and legal histories. The detection and diagnosis of pathological gambling was conducted using through the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOCS) questionnaire, which has been translated to Arabic to suit the needs of the study. PARTICIPANTS IN THE STUDY: Two hundred men were retained out of the 243 interviewed, which represent a participation rate of 82%. The frequency of pathological gambling among a population of gamblers is 53%. The mean age of the sample was 42.3 more or less 10.70 years. Thirty-six percent of those interviewed had a monthly income of less than 2000 dirhams (200 euros). Horse and greyhound racing were the most popular forms of gambling among those interviewed, with rates of 91 and 60% respectively. Individuals with an educational level of no more than primary school, a monthly income of less than 5000 dirhams (500 euros), a personal psychiatric history, and a drug addiction, are most risky to be pathological gamblers. The topic pathological gambling has been studied very little in Arab and Islamic countries, and it is necessary to conduct larger epidemiological studies on the general population to inquire about its prevalence, risk factors as well as its psychiatric characteristics.

Comorbidity of Pathological Gambling: clinical variables, personality and response to treatment

IntroductionPathological gambling shows high comorbidity rates, especially with substance use disorders, although affective, anxiety and other impulse control disorders, as well as personality disorders, are also frequently associated. ObjectivesTo explore comorbidity in pathological gambling with other mental disorders in a consecutive sample of patients attending a unit specialized in pathological gambling, and specifically the relationship between substance-related disorders, on the one hand, and personality and clinical variables in pathological gamblers, on the other. MethodA total of 498 patients with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of Pathological Gambling (11.8% women) were assessed with a semi-structured clinical interview and several clinical and personality scales. ResultsHigher comorbidity with affective disorders was found in women (30.5%), while higher comorbidity with substance-related disorders was found in men (11.2%). A positive association was also detected between a history of psychiatric disorders and current comorbidity with substance-use disorders, as well as between alcohol abuse and age. Finally, some personality traits such as low reward dependence (OR=0.964) and high impulsivity (OR=1.02) predicted other substance abuse (not alcohol). High selftranscendence scores predicted both alcohol and other substance abuse (OR=1.06). ConclusionsOur results suggest a high prevalence of comorbid disorders in pathologic gambling, mainly with affective and substance-related disorders. The results of the present study, conducted in a broad sample of consecutively admitted pathologic gamblers, may contribute to understanding of this complex disorder and treatment improvement.

Factors Associated with the Severity of Gambling Problems in a Community Gambling Treatment Agency

Factors (demographics, gambling behaviors and comorbid problems) that may be related to the severity of gambling problems were investigated among 440 problem gamblers seeking treatment in an Australian outpatient treatment agency. The participants were divided into sub-threshold pathological gamblers (SPGs; N = 104) and pathological gamblers (PGs; N = 336) using Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) IV diagnosis of pathological gambling. SPGs were more likely to be separated/divorced, while PGs were more likely to be single. PGs tended to be younger than SPGs. Participation in lottery games was the only form of gambling that could distinguish between the two severity groups. No significant differences were found in participation in more than one gambling session per week and average amount spent per session on various gambling activities between the two groups. PGs were more likely to report financial, relationship, employment, physical, intrapersonal, other excessive behaviors (e.g., substance problems), leisure (e.g., loneliness, boredom) and legal problems than SPGs. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.

Behandlungserfolg und prospektiver Krankheitsverlauf bei pathologischen Glücksspielern in Abhängigkeit von Komorbidität und Spielkarriere

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the patterns of gambling behaviour and treatment results of pathological gamblers, who participate at an inpatient treatment program. The influence of comorbid psychic disorders, characteristics of the former career of gambling and sociodemographic factors on treatment results as well as on the further development of the pathological gambling disorder was evaluated. METHODS: Characteristics of the previous disorder course, comorbid axis I und axis II disorders and sociodemographic marks were measured. To evaluate the treatment results and the further development of the pathological gambling disorder the patients completed an assessment for psychological distress and for involvement in gambling. In addition abstinence at six-month-follow-up was investigated. DATA BASIS: 101 inpatients of a clinic for psychosomatic and dependence disorders with a primary diagnosis of pathological gambling, who were treated in a gambling abstinence focused psychotherapy program, participated in the study. A pre- post- and six-month-follow-up assessment was conducted. RESULTS: The prevailing form of gambling was the one at slot machines (94.1%) followed by casino games (17.8%) and sports-betting (12.9%). The active gambling time was at average 14.5 years and after an average of 5.8 years the patients felt addicted to gambling. The sample in general demonstrated a significant decrease of psychological distress and of involvement in gambling from pre to post and from pre to follow-up assessment. Disadvantageous influences on treatment results are comorbid anxiety disorders, personality disorders, lack of gambling abstinence before joining the treatment program and the lack of a partnership. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid psychic disorders, especially anxiety disorders and personality disorders should be taken into account by planning the individual treatment. A preparation, which sets the focus on gambling abstinence, prior to joining the treatment program has an advantageous impact on long term treatment success. The abstinence rates achieved by the conducted multimodal cognitive- behavioural treatment program are similar to those attained by comparable treatment programs for alcoholics.

Pathological gambling - Case series

Background: Limited data are available about the validity of the diagnosis of pathological gambling (PG) and about the etiology and the efficacy of different treatment strategies of this disorder; however, similarities in decision-making behavior between PG patients and patients with ventromedial prefrontal cortex lesions suggest a possible implication of these areas in the pathophysiology of this disorder, as in obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which the decision-making impairment is significantly associated with response to serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment. Nevertheless, several studies have shown that decision-making functioning is also impaired in drug-addicted patients who have shown abnormalities in ventromedial prefrontal cortex during functional neuroimaging studies.Methods: We assessed the decision-making function mediated by the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in 20 PG patients and 40 healthy control (HC) subjects using the Gambling Task, which simulates real-life decision-making, testing the ability to balance immediate rewards against long-term negative consequence.Results: Significant differences were found in Gambling Task performance between HC subjects and PG patients, who showed a specific decision-making profile across the sequence of the game. The dissimilarity does not appear to depend on the basic cognitive function deficit of the PG group.Conclusions: These data seem to suggest the existence of a link between PG and other disorders (i.e., obsessive-compulsive disorder and drug addiction) all having diminished ability to evaluate future consequences, which may be explained at least in part by an abnormal functioning of the orbitofrontal cortex.

Pharmacotherapy of pathological gambling: review of new treatment modalities

Pathological gambling is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition as an impulse-control disorder. In the International Classification of Diseases of the WHO, pathological gambling is coded under the heading of ‘Habit and Impulse Disorders’. Pathological gambling is a chronic, progressive disorder, which has a prevalence of 1–3.4% among western civilizations. The enormous personal and social consequences of this disorder include a high rate of suicide attempts, job loss, marital and family problems, legal problems, and criminal behavior. Recent studies have demonstrated that pathological gambling patients respond well to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, mood stabilizers and opioid antagonists. These findings support the idea that pathological gambling and other disorders of impulse control may be conceptualized as part of the obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders or addictive disorders. This article will discuss possible treatment strategies according to different behavior patterns in pathological gambling and also remind the physicians who intend to treat this disorder of the possible diagnosis of pathological gambling.

The Measurement of Adult Problem and Pathological Gambling

This paper presents a critical overview of measures used to assess adult problem gambling in clinical settings and general population research. Particular consideration is given to the challenges in transferring clinically derived measures into population research settings. Numerous screens developed for use in large population surveys as well as in non-specialist clinical settings are described in detail. Overall, the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and its derivatives continue to be the most widely used measures in most contexts and parts of the world although the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders—IV) measures and the CPGI (Canadian Problem Gambling Index) are increasingly being used. While these measures are likely to continue in use, there are clear and growing indications that changes are needed to the official diagnosis of pathological gambling rather than to the measures that have been developed to assess gambling problems in population research and clinical settings. However, there is also room for improvement in these measures.

Gambling-Related Problems Are Chronic and Persist for the Majority of Individuals With a Lifetime Diagnosis of Pathological Gambling

Gambling-Related Problems Are Chronic and Persist for the Majority of Individuals With a Lifetime Diagnosis of Pathological Gambling

Suicide Ideation and Behaviour in People with Pathological Gambling Attending a Treatment Service

This study aimed to describe the 12-month period prevalence and risk factors for suicidal ideation and behaviour in a cohort of patients with pathological gambling attending a treatment service. Seventy-nine people with a diagnosis of pathological gambling received a mail out survey that included questions on postulated risk factors for suicidal ideation and behaviour, the modified Suicide Ideation Scale (SIS), the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the CAGE. A total of 54.4% of the surveys were returned completed. There were 81.4% who showed some suicidal ideation and 30.2% reported one or more suicide attempts in the preceding 12 months. Suicidal ideation and behaviours were positively correlated with the gambling severity (SOGS scores), the presence of debt attributed to gambling, alcohol dependence and depression (BDI). Suicidal ideation/behaviour was not significantly associated with gender and living arrangements, nor a history of receiving treatment for depression during the preceding 12 months. People with pathological gambling attending a treatment service had higher levels of suicidal ideation and behaviour than previous studies. Pathological gambling should be seen as a chronic condition with a similar risk for suicidal ideation and behaviour as other mental illnesses. Counselling services, general practitioners and mental health services should screen for gambling problems when assessing risk after suicide attempts and for suicide risk in patients presenting with gambling problems and co-morbid depression, alcohol abuse and a previous suicide attempt.

On the Limits of Cross-Sectional Retrospective Data for Characterizing the Course of Pathological Gambling and its Relation With Comorbid Psychopathology: A Reply to Afifi, Cox, and Sareen

TO THE EDITOR: Using two epidemiological surveys, Wendy S. Slutske, PH.D. (1) conducted important investigations on the persistence and chronicity of pathological gambling. Dr. Slutske found that one-third of the pathological gamblers made a “natural recovery” (p. 300), as indicated by the absence of symptoms in the previous year without treatment-seeking for their gambling problems. Dr. Slutske concluded that pathological gambling may not be as chronic and persistent as commonly believed, and results from epidemiological surveys “may eventually overturn the established wisdom about pathological gambling disorder” (p. 301). Further discussion of the findings is necessary. Using the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions data, the same data used by Dr. Slutske, a separate study by Petry and colleagues found that pathological gambling was highly comorbid with other mental disorders, including alcohol use and mood disorders (2). It is therefore likely that individuals with pathological gambling disorder may seek help for alcohol use or mood disorders and not seek help specifically for their gambling problems. In addition, it is highly plausible that seeking services for alcohol use or mood disorders may improve gambling problems. We conducted an additional analysis using the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions data to investigate treatment-seeking for alcohol and mood problems among pathological gamblers. Individuals were asked if they had ever sought help 1) for alcohol problems or 2) to improve mood. When considering treatment-seeking for conditions found to be highly comorbid with pathological gambling, a “natural recovery” among pathological gamblers was reduced by approximately one-half, from 34% in the study by Dr. Slutske, to 18% in the current National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditionsbased analysis. Although some pathological gamblers are able to overcome their gambling problems, it is important to emphasize that the majority of individuals with a lifetime diagnosis of pathological gambling continue to experience some level of gambling-related problems in the past year. Interestingly, the prognosis of pathological gambling as indicated by Dr. Slutske’s investigation is almost identical to the natural course of other mental disorders such as major depression, with approximately 40% continuing to meet DSM criteria for a diagnosis, 20% meeting subthreshold criteria, and 40% experiencing no symptoms (3). Dr. Slutske’s analytical approach found that 40% of pathological gamblers continued to meet criteria, 22% had subdiagnostic symptoms, and 38% had no symptoms. Therefore, using this criterion to conclude that pathological gambling may not be a chronic disorder would have the same implications for major depression, which is well recognized as being a chronic disorder. Finally, it must be mentioned that Dr. Slutske’s study relied on retrospective data to assess the onset and offset of pathological gambling. Firm conclusions regarding chronicity and persistence will ultimately require the use of longitudinal prospective data. We hope that our commentary and additional analysis contribute to the important ongoing discussion of pathological gambling initiated by Dr. Slutske.

Outcome of psychological treatments of pathological gambling: a review and meta‐analysis

To investigate the short- and long-term effect of psychological treatments of pathological gambling and factors relating to treatment outcome. This study provides a quantitative meta-analytical review of psychotherapeutic treatments of pathological gambling. Studies were identified by computer search in the PsycINFO and Medline databases covering the period from 1966 to 2004, as well as from relevant reference lists. The target problem was pathological gambling, the treatment was psychological, the study was published in English and outcomes directly pertaining to gambling were employed. Single case studies, studies where elimination of gambling not was the priority and studies with insufficient statistical information were excluded from the present meta-analysis. A total of 37 outcome studies, published or reported between 1968 and 2004, were identified. Of these 15 were excluded, thus 22 studies were included, involving 1434 subjects. The grand mean age was 40.1 years. The overall proportion of men was 71.5%. The included studies were coded for outcome measures of pathological gambling. For each condition, means and standard deviations for gambling-related outcome measures, all based upon self-reports or therapist ratings, were compiled at three points in time: baseline, post-treatment and the last follow-up reported. Effect sizes represent the difference between the mean score in a treatment condition and a control condition or the difference between mean scores at separated points in time for one group, expressed in terms of standard deviation units. At post-treatment the analysis indicated that psychological treatments were more effective than no treatment, yielding an overall effect size of 2.01 (P < 0.01). At follow-up (averaging 17.0 months) the corresponding effect size was 1.59 (P < 0.01). A multiple regression analysis showed that the magnitude of effect sizes at post-treatment were lower in studies including patients with a formal diagnosis of pathological gambling only, compared to studies not employing such inclusion criteria. Effect sizes were also higher in randomized controlled trials compared to not randomized controlled trials, higher in within subjects designs compared to between subjects designs and also positively related to number of therapy sessions. No mediator variables were significantly related to the magnitude of the effect sizes at follow-up. Psychological interventions for pathological gamble seem to be yield very favourable short- and long-term outcomes.

Prevalencia del juego patológico en el alcoholismo : un estudio exploratorio

In this paper, the prevalence of pathological gambling in 50 treatment-seeking alcoholics was estimated. The DSM-IV-TR diagnosis criteria for pathological gambling and the Spanish version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) were used. Results showed a rate of 20% of alcoholics with a comorbid diagnosis of pathological gambling. Furthermore, an additional 12% of the alcoholic sample had relevant symptoms for problem gambling. In sum, the 32% of the sample reported clinically significant gambling-related symptoms. Comparison between alcoholics with and without pathological gambling showed significant differences in alcohol variables, which were higher in gambling sample. However there were no significant differences between groups in the psychopathological symptoms assessed with the SCL-90-R. Implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are commented upon

Freqüência de jogo patológico entre farmacodependentes em tratamento

To investigate the frequency of pathological gambling among alcohol and other substance abusers who sought specialized treatment. Seventy-four outpatients from three different substance abuse treatment services were interviewed. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) scale was used for the diagnosis of pathological gambling. The diagnosis of alcohol and other substances abuse was established according to the DSM-IV criteria and the Short Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD) scale. The Portuguese version of the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ) scale was used to detect psychiatric symptoms and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) for depressive symptoms. Average scores obtained from the application of these scales were compared using the Student t-test. All subjects met the criteria for drug abuse, 61.6% met the alcohol dependence criteria, 60.3% for cocaine/crack, and 34.2% for cannabis. According to the SOGS scale, the majority of drug addicts (70.3%) were classified as social gamblers, 10.8% as problem gamblers and 18.9% as pathological gamblers. Psychiatric and depression symptoms were found in the sample. Pathological gambling patients showed more depression symptoms than non-pathological gambling patients. A high frequency of pathological gambling was found among the drug addicts interviewed. It is emphasized the importance of investigating pathological gambling among patients under treatment of drug abuse and to include strategies for the treatment of this disorder.

Treatment Success For Gamblers More Than Just Roll of the Dice

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & Research NewsFull AccessTreatment Success For Gamblers More Than Just Roll of the DiceJoan Arehart-TreichelJoan Arehart-TreichelSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:7 May 2004https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.39.9.0057Although research on pathological gambling is increasing, little is known about what it takes to keep pathological gamblers in treatment.Jon Grant, M.D., J.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry at Brown University, and coworkers conducted a study of pathological gamblers to try to identify such factors.Fifty adult outpatients with a primary DSM-IV diagnosis of pathological gambling were enrolled in the study. All had sought help for their disorder, all were receiving medication, and some were getting psychotherapy as well. The subjects had been in treatment for a year on average, although some had been in treatment for as short as 20 days or as long as four years.The researchers then used the Clinical Global Impressions Scale for Pathological Gambling and the Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale to evaluate the clinical status of the subjects at the start of the study and then again every two months for a year.Subjects who dropped out of treatment during the study period were contacted by telephone to determine why they had discontinued treatment.Almost half of the subjects—48 percent—stopped treatment during the one-year study period, Grant and his colleagues reported in the March-April Comprehensive Psychiatry. Those who discontinued treatment gave two primary reasons—they missed the thrill of gambling or felt certain that they could win and reduce their gambling-related financial debts.On a more positive note, however, 52 percent of the subjects did stay in treatment during the study period, and two of the predictors of staying in treatment, Grant and his team found, were feeling at least minimally improved within 60 days of starting treatment and having someone in their lives whom they considered supportive of their receiving treatment and of their attempt to stop gambling.An abstract of the study, “Retrospective Review of Treatment Retention in Pathological Gambling,” is posted online at www.sciencedirect.com. Click “Browse A-Z of journals,” “C,” “Comprehensive Psychiatry,” and then the March-April 2004 issue. ▪ ISSUES NewArchived

Retrospective review of treatment retention in pathological gambling

Although research on pathological gambling is increasing, there are few studies examining correlates of treatment retention. In the current study, 50 outpatients with a primary DSM-IV diagnosis of pathological gambling treated in a clinical practice were assessed by chart review. Standard scales were used to rate subjects at baseline and at 2-month intervals. Subjects who dropped out of treatment were contacted by telephone to determine reasons for discontinuation of treatment. The mean duration of follow-up was 360.4 ± 352.2 days. Twenty-four (48%) of the subjects discontinued treatment, including 14 (36.8%) of those subjects who were responders (defined as Clinical Global Impression [CGI] scale of “very much” or “much” improved) during at least one assessment point. Of those who discontinued treatment, 41.7% reported missing the thrill of gambling and 20.8% reported feeling certain that they could win and relieve financial burdens. Predictors of treatment continuation were responding to treatment within 8 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 6.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13 to 32.00; P = .04) and having a supportive environment (OR, 22.99; 95% CI, 5.04 to 104.76; P < .001). We conclude that a large percentage of patients with pathological gambling discontinue treatment. Predictors of treatment continuation may have clinical importance. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate the course of pathological gambling.

Frontal lobe dysfunction in pathological gambling patients

Background: Limited data are available about the validity of the diagnosis of pathological gambling (PG) and about the etiology and the efficacy of different treatment strategies of this disorder; however, similarities in decision-making behavior between PG patients and patients with ventromedial prefrontal cortex lesions suggest a possible implication of these areas in the pathophysiology of this disorder, as in obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which the decision-making impairment is significantly associated with response to serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment. Nevertheless, several studies have shown that decision-making functioning is also impaired in drug-addicted patients who have shown abnormalities in ventromedial prefrontal cortex during functional neuroimaging studies.Methods: We assessed the decision-making function mediated by the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in 20 PG patients and 40 healthy control (HC) subjects using the Gambling Task, which simulates real-life decision-making, testing the ability to balance immediate rewards against long-term negative consequence.Results: Significant differences were found in Gambling Task performance between HC subjects and PG patients, who showed a specific decision-making profile across the sequence of the game. The dissimilarity does not appear to depend on the basic cognitive function deficit of the PG group.Conclusions: These data seem to suggest the existence of a link between PG and other disorders (i.e., obsessive-compulsive disorder and drug addiction) all having diminished ability to evaluate future consequences, which may be explained at least in part by an abnormal functioning of the orbitofrontal cortex.

Contemporary issues and future directions for research into pathological gambling.

The recent healthy increase in research into all aspects of gambling is noted. The dominant theme accounting for most of this research is the mental disorder model of pathological gambling and measures that have been derived from this conceptualization. It is suggested that an alternative approach focusing on the construct of choice or subjective control over gambling may be a research direction that will ensure that progress is maintained. In this paper a context for the discussion is provided by first identifying briefly fundamental conceptual and methodological issues associated with the mental disorder model. In particular it is argued that the heterogeneity of the diagnosis of pathological gambling makes the research task of assessing truly independent variables extremely difficult. Subsequently an illustrative schema is presented that demonstrates both the potential advantages and some of the complexities associated with the dependent variable of self-control over gambling behaviour. The main advantages are argued to be (a) the focus of research is narrowed to one potential cause of harmful impacts rather than the great diversity of impacts themselves, (b) prospective studies of regular gamblers in real gambling venues may be a key source of insight into the development of pathological gambling and (c) it promotes the development of theoretical links with the mainstream of the discipline of psychology. Despite the conceptual difficulties that may be associated with the variable of self-control, it is suggested that these may be overcome because contemporary research into the addictive behaviours has demonstrated considerable success in the definition and measurement of control and related themes such as craving, restraint and temptation.

A systematic study of suicidal ideation and behaviour in a cohort of patients with a diagnosis of pathological gambling presenting to a hospital based gambling treatment service

Objective: The aim of the study was to systematically describe and analyse the 12 month period prevalence of suicidal ideation and behaviour of a cohort of patients who had a diagnosis of pathological gambling.Method: Seventy-nine people with a diagnosis of pathological gambling received a mailout survey. The survey included four psychometric instruments, a sociodemographic questionnaire and questions on postulated risk factors for suicidal ideation and behaviour. The four psychometric instruments were the modified Suicide Ideation Scale (SIS), the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGs), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the CAGE.Results: 54.4% of the surveys were returned completed. 81.4% showed some suicidal ideation and 30.2% reported one or more suicide attempts in the preceding 12 months. Suicidal ideation and behaviours (SIS results) were found to be positively correlated with the SOGs' scores, the presence of debt attributed to gambling and a lifetime period prevalence of alcohol dependence. A BDI...

The Lie/Bet Questionnaire for screening pathological gamblers: a follow-up study.

This study follows up one in which was derived a two-item screening questionnaire for pathological gambling. In the previous study, the two-item screening questionnaire had sensitivity of .99 and specificity of .91. In this study, testing 295 men (116 pathological gamblers and 179 controls) and 128 women (30 pathological gamblers and 98 controls), sensitivity was 1.00 and specificity .85. In the previous study, the predictive value of a positive result was .92 and of a negative result .99. In this sample, the predictive value of a positive result was .78 and of a negative result 1.00. These results indicate the two questions represent a useful screening device for a DSM-IV diagnosis of pathological gambling.