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

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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.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the NRGF (National Responsible Gambling Foundation) for supporting this work.

Conflict of interest

DJS is a consultant to Biocodex, Lundbeck, Novartis, and Servier and is a speaker for Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Lundbeck, and Servier. AP is the treatment director for the South African National Responsible Gambling Program (NRGP). HS received a research grant from the South African NRGP. No other financial support was received for this study. The authors declare no conflict of interest. DJS and AP were responsible for the study supervision. HS was responsible for the study concept and design and the analysis and interpretation of the data. SP was responsible for the analysis of the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Groote Schuur Hospital (J2), University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa

    Heidi Sinclair, Sonja Pasche & Dan J. Stein

  2. National Responsible Gambling Programme, South-African Gambling Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa

    Heidi Sinclair & Adele Pretorius

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  1. Heidi Sinclair
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  2. Sonja Pasche
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  3. Adele Pretorius
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  4. Dan J. Stein
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Correspondence to Heidi Sinclair.

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Sinclair, H., Pasche, S., Pretorius, A. et al. Clinical Profile and Psychiatric Comorbidity of Treatment-Seeking Individuals with Pathological Gambling in South-Africa. J Gambl Stud 31, 1227–1243 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-014-9516-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-014-9516-8

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