Pathological gambling and primary antiphospholipid (Hughes) syndrome: a unique neuropsychiatric association

Neuropsychiatric conditions are common in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) with or without vascular thrombosis of the central nervous system. There are frequent descriptions of memory alterations, cognition and mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and even conditions of mania and psychosis preceding the diagnosis of primary APS. However, this study is the first to present primary or secondary APS associated with habit or impulse control disorders. The authors describe the case of a 53-year-old male patient who had been a pathological gambler since adulthood and who has had APS for more than 20 years. We describe the case and review its characteristics, criteria for diagnosis and treatment offered for patients with this specific subtype of impulse disorder. Lupus (2011) 20, 1086-1089.

Gambling in Brazil Lifetime prevalences and socio-demographic correlates

Gambling has experienced world-wide growth The current study is the first national survey into household gambling conducted in a developing country The sample was a three-stage probabilistic one designed to cover individuals 14 years old or older of both genders and from all regions of the national territory 325 census sectors were visited including rural areas DSM-IV-based instruments were used to assess problem and pathological gambling individuals were asked to estimate their monthly gambling expenditure The lifetime prevalences were pathological gambling 1 0% and problem gambling 1 3% Maximum gambling expenditure corresponded to 5 4% of the household income for social gamblers 16 9% for problem gamblers and 20 0% for pathological gamblers The male female ratio among adults for pathological gambling was 3 2 1 The data suggest the existence of two subgroups of pathological gamblers one younger (33 9 +/- 4 19) and severe (7 or more DSM-IV criteria) another older (47 8 +/- 6 01) and less severe (5-6 criteria) In a multinomial logistic regression problematic gambling was associated with gender age education employment region of origin and living in metropolitan areas The data suggest that feeling active and socially inserted protects against problematic gambling Individuals who are young male unemployed or not currently pursuing further education may be at special risk for severe pathological gambling (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd All rights reserved

A responsible gambling strategy for older Queenslanders: Final Report

This study investigates the needs, experiences, behaviours and attitudes of older Queenslanders who participate in gambling. It aims to understand the special needs and circumstances of older Queensland gamblers which might make them particularly vulnerable to problem gambling behaviour, or other negative effects of gambling. The findings of the research will provide an evidence base for the development of initiatives and policies that can address the specific prevention, protection and rehabilitation needs of older gamblers. This is with a particular view to informing the ongoing development and implementation of the Queensland Government’s Responsible Gambling Strategy and its voluntary industry code – the Queensland Responsible Gambling Code of Practice.

Early life course determinants of young adults' gambling behaviour. An Australian Longitudinal Study

Problem gambling represents a public concern as both a social and health issue. Available evidence shows problem gambling is associated with a range of psychological disorders, criminality, and disruption to families. While gambling itself may represent a pleasurable pursuit for the majority, for a proportion, gambling-related activities may assume many of the characteristics of an addiction and have the capacity to undermine individuals� mental and physical health, social relationships, financial independence, as well as the financial and psychological wellbeing of their families and/or friends. The objectives of this study are based on the need to increase our understanding of gambling behaviour, its antecedents, as well its influence on the health and wellbeing of gamblers and their families. One of the most important and unresolved issues in gambling research is whether the mental health and social/family correlates of gambling precede or follow gambling behaviour. This report focuses on this issue.

The feasibility of regulating gambling on the internet

Internet gambling presents substantial new challenges to governments and regulatory agencies. Existing approaches to betting, lotteries and gaming are limited by the nature of Internet technology, and the international nature of the activity. Particular aspects of Internet gambling are considered, and the conclusion is reached that prohibition is an ineffectual alternative, and that licensing of gambling services providers is the appropriate approach. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

From cheating to teaching: a path for conversion of illegal gambling machines

Video poker machines, a former symbol of fraud and gambling in Brazil, are now being converted into computer-based educational tools for Brazilian public primary schools and also for governmental and non-governmental institutions dealing with communities of poverty and social exclusion, in an attempt to reduce poverty risks (decrease money spent on gambling) and promote social inclusion (increase access and motivation to education). Thousands of illegal gambling machines are seized by federal authorities, in Brazil, every year, and usually destroyed at the end of the criminal apprehension process. This paper describes a project developed by the University of Southern Santa Catarina, Brazil, responsible for the conversion process of gambling machines, and the social inclusion opportunities derived from it. All project members worked on a volunteer basis, seeking to promote social inclusion of Brazilian young boys and girls, namely through digital inclusion. So far, the project has been able to convert over 200 gambling machines and install them in over 40 public primary schools, thus directly benefiting more than 12,000 schoolchildren. The initial motivation behind this project was technology based, however the different options arising from the conversion process of the gambling machines have also motivated a rather innovative and unique experience in allowing schoolchildren and young people with special (educational) needs to access to computer-based pedagogical applications. The availability of these converted machines also helps to place Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the very daily educational environment of these children and youngsters, thus serving social and cultural inclusion aspects, by establishing a dialogue with the community and their technological expectations, and also directly contributing to their digital literacy.

Pathological gambling in women: a review

Pathological gambling was only recently recognized as a psychiatric disorder (DSM-III, APA, 1980). Most studies of pathological gambling include only male subjects. Despite the paucity of information, it is likely that at least one-third of pathological gamblers are women. The objective of this article is to review clinical and epidemiological characteristics of female gamblers as compared to their male counterparts. MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched for investigational studies and reviews of the past 10 years on clinical (sociodemographic, course and progression, psychiatric comorbidities, genetics, and personality) and epidemiological aspects of female gamblers. Other relevant articles were also selected from reference lists. It is concluded that the current literature indicates some common characteristics in female and male gamblers, but it also indicates the possibility that each gender may carry etiopathogenic differences that when better understood should lead to improved treatment and prevention strategies.

Estudo de fidedignidade do instrumento neuropsicológico Iowa Gambling Task

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar evidências de fidedignidade do instrumento neuropsicológico Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) a partir do método teste-reteste. MÉTODO: Participaram 50 indivíduos saudáveis, de 19 a 75 anos de idade, com no mínimo cinco anos de educação formal. A aplicação foi realizada de forma individual, em dois encontros, com intervalo de um a seis meses entre teste e reteste. RESULTADOS: Os resultados evidenciaram uma correlação positiva moderada significativa entre teste-reteste no cálculo global. Na análise por segmentos, os blocos 4 e 5 apresentaram uma correlação positiva moderada, mas não foram observadas correlações significativas nos blocos 1, 2 e 3. CONCLUSÃO: Esses dados corroboram estudos atuais que encontraram correlações moderadas entre teste-reteste em medidas de funções executivas e sugerem que o IGT pode ser empregado para avaliar o processo de tomada de decisão de forma confiável ao longo do tempo, desde que sejam considerados estudos de fidedignidade com populações saudáveis mais amplas e com populações clínicas.

Pathological gambling and gender

Background and Aims: Gender differences have been reported among pathological gamblers populations. These differences concern variables such as type of gambling (men are more likely engaged in ''strategic gambling'' whereas women prefer ''non-strategic'' gambling), evolution of the gambling problem (faster progression for women) and suicidal behaviours (more attempted suicide by women). The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between gender and clinical status in a Swiss sample of treatment seeking pathological gamblers. Method: Prospective descriptive study of 260 new outpatients entering treatment between October 1999 and October 2007 at the Center for Excessive Gambling Studies, Lausanne, Switzerland. Data are issued from standardised medical records. Gender differences were examined (Chi-squares and ANOVAs) on interval between first gambling behaviours and first specialized treatment, interval between pathological gambling onset and first specialized treatment, purpose of consulting, type of gambling (« strategic gambling » vs « nonstrategic gambling ») and suicidality. Results and Discussion: In line with international findings, gender differences were observed on type of gambling, suicidality and interval between pathological gambling onset and first specialized treatment. A tendency emerged on interval between first gambling behaviours and first specialized treatment. As a new finding, we observed a difference on the purpose of consulting, with emotional crisis more reported by women whereas men are more likely to report familial crisis. Gender seems to be relevant in the context of pathological gambling and should be integrated in prevention and clinical strategies.

Gambling among youths in Switzerland and its association with other addictive behaviours: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of problem gambling in a population of youths in Switzerland and to determine its association with other potentially addictive behaviours. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey including 1,102 participants in the first and second year of post-compulsory education, reporting gambling, socio-demographics, internet use and substance use. For three categories of gambling (nongambler; nonproblem gambler and at-risk/problem gambler). socio-demographic and addiction data were compared using a bivariate analysis. All significant variables were included in a multinominal logistic regression using nongamblers as the reference category. RESULTS: The prevalence of gamblers was 37.48% (n = 413), with nonproblem gamblers being 31.94% (n = 352) and at-risk/problem gamblers 5.54% (n = 61). At the bivariate level, severity of gambling increased among adults (over 18 years) and among males, vocational students, participants not living with both parents and youths having a low socio-economic status. Gambling was also associated to the four addictive behaviours studied. At the multivariate level, risk of nonproblem gambling was increased in males, older youths, vocational students, participants of Swiss origin and alcohol misusers. Risk of at-risk/problem gambling was higher for males, older youths, alcohol misusers, participants not living with both parents and problem internet users. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of youths in our sample had gambled in the previous year and gambling is associated with other addictive behaviours. Clinicians should screen their adolescent patients for gambling habits, especially if other addictive behaviours are present. Additionally, gambling should be included in prevention campaigns together with other addictive behaviours.

Developing a population approach to gambling health issues

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has developed this briefing paper to highlight the health impacts connected to gambling and in particular problem gambling.  This paper was developed to give information to Government Departments who are currently reviewing gambling legislation across the island of Ireland.  It draws attention to the impact problem gambling can have on the individual, family and community health and well-being.

IPH response to Department for Social Development consultation on future regulation of gambling in Northern Ireland

The Department for Social Development (DSD) recently undertook a review of Northern Ireland's gambling law sought views to help strike a balance between developing gambling as a leisure pursuit and minimising its potential negative consequences.  Following the consultation period, DSD aims to produce a balanced package of reforms which will strengthen the regulatory regime while easing some of the current restrictions on industry development.