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Pathological gambling and the psychiatric emergency service
Yves Chaput1, Marie-Josée Lebel, Edith Labonté
1Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. yves.chaput@douglas.mcgill.ca
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
|October 25, 2007
Summary
Pathological gambling (PG) significantly increased psychiatric emergency service (PES) visits by over 50% since 2000. While manageable, this trend highlights a growing clinical impact on emergency mental healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Mental Health Services Research
Background:
- Pathological gambling (PG) is linked to adverse mental health outcomes.
- The impact of PG on psychiatric emergency services (PES) requires thorough assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the increasing impact of pathological gambling on psychiatric emergency services.
- To analyze trends in PES utilization by patients with PG.
Main Methods:
- A multi-trial study was conducted in a major university teaching hospital's PES in Montreal.
- Clinical and demographic data were collected from July 1996 to December 2000, followed by a 2-year study in four PESs starting September 2002.
Main Results:
- PES visits by PG patients increased by over 50% from 2000 onwards in the initial trial.
- Similar increases in PES utilization by PG patients were observed across four PESs in the second trial.
- Patients with PG presenting to PES were typically help-seeking but less likely to be frequent users or require hospitalization.
Conclusions:
- The clinical impact of pathological gambling on psychiatric emergency services has significantly increased.
- While currently manageable, the rising trend necessitates attention within mental healthcare systems.
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