When mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders were evaluated separately, a graded or dose-response relationship was found between different levels of gambling and risk, with the risks highest for those with the disorder and lowest for recreational gamblers, and the risk falling in between for the subthreshold gamblers, Dr. Fong said.
The risk of a mood disorder was increased by more than fourfold among those with a gambling disorder at baseline (OR, 4.38), and also was increased among those with a subthreshold gambling disorder at baseline (OR, 1.37). The risk of any anxiety disorder also followed the same pattern, significantly increased among those with a gambling disorder (OR, 3.11), subthreshold disorder (OR, 1.70), and recreational gamblers (OR, 1.10).
The risk of any substance use disorder also was significantly increased at all three levels. Among those with a gambling disorder at baseline, the risks of any alcohol-related disorder and alcohol dependence were increased among those with a gambling disorder at baseline (ORs, 3.90 and 4.66, respectively), and also were increased among those with a subthreshold disorder at baseline (OR, 1.97, 2.19), and among those who were recreational gamblers at baseline (OR 1.3, 1.29).
Dr. Fong and Dr. Parhami had no disclosures relevant to this presentation at the meeting.