Gambling problems in bipolar disorder in the UK: Prevalence and distribution

<jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>North American studies show bipolar disorder is associated with elevated rates of problem gambling; however, little is known about rates in the different presentations of bipolar illness.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aims</jats:title><jats:p>To determine the prevalence and distribution of problem gambling in people with bipolar disorder in the UK.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Method</jats:title><jats:p>The Problem Gambling Severity Index was used to measure gambling problems in 635 participants with bipolar disorder.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Moderate to severe gambling problems were four times higher in people with bipolar disorder than in the general population, and were associated with type 2 disorder (OR = 1.74, <jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.036), history of suicidal ideation or attempt (OR = 3.44, <jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.02) and rapid cycling (OR = 2.63, <jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.008).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Approximately 1 in 10 patients with bipolar disorder may be at moderate to severe risk of problem gambling, possibly associated with suicidal behaviour and a rapid cycling course. Elevated rates of gambling problems in type 2 disorder highlight the probable significance of modest but unstable mood disturbance in the development and maintenance of such problems.</jats:p></jats:sec>