title: Lifetime prevalence of pathological gambling among american Indian and Hispanic American Veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the prevalence and clinical correlates of pathological gambling among 1228 American Indian and Hispanic American veterans in the southwest and north central regions of the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed a community sample of American Indian and Hispanic American veterans to obtain data on psychiatric disorder and treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  American Indian veterans had a 10% lifetime prevalence of pathological gambling. The Hispanic American lifetime prevalence was less than that of the American Indian veterans but higher than the prevalence found for Hispanic American veterans in other surveys. Comorbid conditions associated with pathological gambling included substance, mood, and antisocial personality disorders. Ready access to casino gambling may encourage, support, or contribute to high rates of pathological gambling in both men and women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 70% lifetime comorbidity of psychiatric disorders suggests that early interventions for pathological gambling should consider common psychiatric conditions rather than focusing on pathological gambling alone.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Service, 116A, 1 Veterans Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. joseph.westermeyer@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Westermeyer
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Canive
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garrard
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thuras
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans