Prevalence of diagnosed gambling disorder varies between areas

Introduction Gambling disorder (ICD-10: F63.0, pathological gambling) refers to repeated problematic gambling behaviour with serious long-term psychosocial, financial and health consequences. The prevalence of gambling disorder increased between 2011 and 2021 in Finland, but still only few people were diagnosed. There is no previous research on regional differences of the prevalence of gambling disorder.

Methods The study examines the administrative prevalence of diagnosed gambling disorder based on the national health register data (Hilmo) between the years 2011–2021 by sex and by specific catchment area of university hospitals (erva).

Results Diagnosed gambling disorder became more common from 2011 to 2021 in both men and women and in all regions. The number of diagnoses made in the erva area of Kuopio University Hospital increased the most. Despite the increase, the prevalence was low compared to estimates obtained from population surveys.

Conclusions More attention needs to be paid to early detection and intervention of gambling disorder.

Tiina Latvala, Miika Vuori, Sari Castrén, Tanja Grönroos, Jonna Levola, Anne Salonen