OBJECTIVE: Pathological gambling (PG) has been associated with several negative mental health outcomes. We attempted to assess the impact of PG at the level of the psychiatric emergency service (PES). METHODS: In a first trial, clinical and demographic data were acquired from patients visiting the PES of a major university teaching hospital in downtown Montreal from July 1, 1996, to December 31, 2000. In a second trial, data were simultaneously acquired for a 2-year period in the above PES and in 3 others, beginning in September 2002. RESULTS: In the first trial, from 2000 onward, the number of visits by PG patients to the PES increased by over 50%. In the second trial, the high level of PES use observed from 2000 onward in the first trial was similarly observed at all 4 PESs. The clinical and demographic characteristics of these patients were typical of help-seeking PG patients. They were, however, significantly less likely to be frequent users of the PES or to be hospitalized. CONCLUSION: Although still manageable, the clinical impact of PG on the PES increased significantly during the course of this study.
OBJECTIVE: Pathological gambling (PG) has been associated with several negative mental health outcomes. We attempted to assess the impact of PG at the level of the psychiatric emergency service (PES). METHODS: In a first trial, clinical and demographic data were acquired from patients visiting the PES of a major university teaching hospital in downtown Montreal from July 1, 1996, to December 31, 2000. In a second trial, data were simultaneously acquired for a 2-year period in the above PES and in 3 others, beginning in September 2002. RESULTS: In the first trial, from 2000 onward, the number of visits by PG patients to the PES increased by over 50%. In the second trial, the high level of PES use observed from 2000 onward in the first trial was similarly observed at all 4 PESs. The clinical and demographic characteristics of these patients were typical of help-seeking PG patients. They were, however, significantly less likely to be frequent users of the PES or to be hospitalized. CONCLUSION: Although still manageable, the clinical impact of PG on the PES increased significantly during the course of this study.