Association between gambling disorder and suicide mortality: a comparative cohort study using Norwegian health registry data

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Kristensen, JH, Baravelli, CM, Leino, T, Pallesen, S, Griffiths, MD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524 and Erevik, EK, 2025. Association between gambling disorder and suicide mortality: a comparative cohort study using Norwegian health registry data. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 48: 101127. ISSN 2666-7762

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101127

Abstract

Background: Gambling disorder has been consistently linked to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, but few studies have investigated the association between gambling disorder and suicide mortality. This study examined the risk of suicide mortality associated with gambling disorder compared to the general population and other patient groups.

Methods: A registry-based cohort study was conducted employing individual-level linked and aggregated data from Norwegian nationwide health registries. The study population comprised all patients with gambling disorder in Norway (n = 6899) for the period 2008 to 2021. Standardized mortality ratios were estimated to assess suicide risk among gambling disorder patients against the adult Norwegian general population. Cox regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios comparing suicide risk among patients with gambling disorder to 12 comparison groups comprising patients treated for other conditions (n = 391,897).

Findings: Suicide was the leading cause of death among patients with gambling disorder (37 of 148 deaths; 25%). Patients with gambling disorder had a higher suicide risk than the general population (standardized mortality ratio = 5.12, 95% CI [3.71; 7.06]), and 5 of 12 patient groups with other conditions. Suicide risk was not significantly different when compared to that of patients with anxiety disorders, personality disorders, or depression. However, suicide risk was lower among patients with gambling disorder than patients with substance use disorders, alcohol dependence, psychotic disorders, or mood disorders.

Interpretation: Norwegian patients with gambling disorder have an elevated risk of suicide mortality but the risk is similar to or lower than other patient groups known to be at increased suicide risk.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	The Lancet Regional Health - Europe
Creators:	Kristensen, J.H., Baravelli, C.M., Leino, T., Pallesen, S., Griffiths, M.D. and Erevik, E.K.
Publisher:	Elsevier
Date:	January 2025
Volume:	48
ISSN:	2666-7762
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101127 DOI 2284044 Other
Rights:	Copyright © 2024 the author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	12 Nov 2024 14:06
Last Modified:	12 Nov 2024 14:06
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/52558