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Pathological gambling in eating disorders: Prevalence and clinical implications

Abstract:

Objective Pathological gambling (PG) and eating disorders (ED) rarely co-occur. We explored the prevalence of lifetime PG in ED, compared severity of ED symptoms, personality traits, and psychopathological profiles across individuals with ED and PG (ED + PG) and without PG (ED-PG). Finally, we assessed the incremental pbkp_redictive value of gender on the presentation of a comorbid PG. Method A total sample of 1681 consecutively admitted ED patients (1576 females and 105 males), participated in the current study (25 ED + PG and 1656 ED-PG). All participants were diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. Assessment measures included the Symptom Checklist and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised, as well as other clinical and psychopathological indices. Results The observed lifetime prevalence of PG was 1.49%. ED subtype was associated with lifetime PG (p =.003), with PG being more frequent in binge eating disorder (5.7%). ED + PG was more prevalent in males than in females (16% vs. 1.26%, respectively). Additionally, ED + PG patients exhibited more impulsive behaviours, lower impulse regulation and higher novelty seeking. Best pbkp_redictors of ED + PG were novelty seeking (OR 1.030, p =.035), sex (OR 3.295, p =.048) and BMI (OR 1.081, p =.005). Conclusions Some personality traits (novelty seeking), being male and higher BMI are strongly related to the presence of lifetime PG in specific ED subtypes (namely binge eating disorder). © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.