Rates and Correlates of Pathological Gambling Amon

Authors: Ellen L Edens Robert A Rosenheck

Publish Date: 2011/02/18

Volume: 28, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-11

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Abstract

The rate and correlates of diagnosed pathological gambling PG among mental health patients in the Veterans Health Administration the only national system of mental health care have not been studied Using fiscal year 2009 FY2009 VA administrative data a case–control study compared those with an ICD code of 31231 PG versus those without The analytic group was limited to 1102846 Veterans Affairs VA specialty mental health MH services users because 945 of all those diagnosed with PG in the US VA health system received such services Chisquare tests and logistic regression assessed associations between demographic and clinical factors and PG diagnosis The pastyear rate of PG diagnosis among veterans treated in specialty MH program was 02 significantly lower than prevalence rates in other treatment samples and the general US population suggesting underdiagnosis and/or a lowincome sample Being female ages 40–74 and higher income increased the risk of PG diagnosis as did pastyear homelessness Odds Ratio OR = 22 alcohol use disorders OR = 28 bipolar disorder OR = 21 and personality disorders OR = 21 Depression schizophrenia and anxiety disorders other than PTSD were also positively associated with PG diagnosis Drug use disorder had no significant independent association with PG PTSD dementia and living in isolated rural areas conferred reduced risk More systematic screening and surveillance of PG among MH service users generally and veterans with heavy alcohol use severe mental illness and homelessness specifically appears warranted

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