title: Gambling disorders, gambling type preferences, and psychiatric comorbidity among the Thai general population: Results of the 2013 National Mental Health Survey.
abstract: Background and aims To estimate the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling, gender and age-group differences in gambling types, and comorbidities with other psychiatric disorders among the Thai general population. Methods Analysis was conducted on 4,727 participants of Thailand's 2013 National Mental Health Survey, a multistage stratified cluster survey, using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Diagnoses of problem and pathological gambling and other psychiatric disorders were based on the DSM-IV-TR criteria with the following additional criteria for gamblers: more than 10 lifetime gambling episodes and a single year loss of at least 365 USD from gambling. Results The estimated lifetime prevalence rates of pathological and problem gambling were 0.90% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51-1.29] and 1.14% (95% CI: 0.58-1.70), respectively. The most popular type of gambling was playing lotteries [69.5%, standard error (SE) = 1.9], the prevalence of which was significantly higher among females and older age groups. The most common psychiatric disorders seen among pathological gamblers were alcohol abuse (57.4%), nicotine dependence (49.5%), and any drug use disorder (16.2%). Pathological gambling was highly prevalent among those who ever experienced major depressive episodes (5.5%), any drug dependence (5.1%), and intermittent explosive disorder (4.8%). The association between pathological gambling was strongest with a history of major depressive episode [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 10.4, 95% CI: 2.80-38.4]. Conclusion The study confirms the recognition of gambling disorders as a public health concern in Thailand and suggests a need for culturally specific preventive measures for pathological gamblers and those with a history of substance use disorders or major depression.
authors.affiliation: 1 Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University , Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sawitri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Assanangkornchai
authors.affiliation: 1 Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University , Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.affiliation: 2 Songkhla Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital , Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nopporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tantirangsee
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health , Nonthaburi, Thailand.
authors.forename: Phunnapa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kittirattanapaiboon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: National Mental Health Survey; gambling type preference; pathological gambling; problem gambling; psychiatric comorbidity