title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Groote Schuur Hospital (J2), University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa. Snchei002@myuct.ac.za.|National Responsible Gambling Programme, South-African Gambling Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa. Snchei002@myuct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Groote Schuur Hospital (J2), University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa. Sonja.pasche@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pasche
authors.affiliation: National Responsible Gambling Programme, South-African Gambling Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa. adele@responsiblegambling.co.za.
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pretorius
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Groote Schuur Hospital (J2), University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa. Dan.stein@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Dan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D013019:South Africa; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Comorbid psychiatric disorders; Pathological gambling; South-Africa