Risk of death by suicide among people with gambling disorder compared to the general population and other patient groups

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Author(s): Kristensen, Joakim Hellumbråten ; Baravelli, Carl Michael ; Leino, Tony ; Pallesen, Ståle ; Griffiths, Mark D. ; Erevik, Eilin Kristine

Journal: The Lancet Regional Health - Europe

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: January 28, 2025

Gambling disorder (GD) is a serious mental health condition that is known to be linked with a higher risk of suicide. Although the risk of suicide is higher among people with GD compared to the general population, the extent to which it exceeds that of other mental health disorders is not known. The aim of this study was to identify the risk of suicide mortality (i.e., death by suicide) among people with GD in Norway. It compared the risk of suicide mortality in GD to that of other mental health and behavioural disorders. Overall, there was a higher risk of suicide mortality among patients with GD compared to the general population. However, the risk was comparable to some other conditions, and lower than that of substance use disorders, alcohol dependence, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders.

Citation: Kristensen, J. H., Baravelli, C. M., Leino, T., Pallesen, S., Griffiths, M. D., & Erevik, E. K. (2025). Association between gambling disorder and suicide mortality: A comparative cohort study using Norwegian health registry data. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 48, 101127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101127

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101127

Keywords: addiction ; pathological gambling ; suicidality

Topics: Comorbidities ; Suicide

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Comorbid Disorders ; Psychological Factors

Study Design: Observational: Cohort

Geographic Coverage: Norway

Study Population: The data were collected from two Norwegian nationwide data sources: The Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR) and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry (CDR). The gambling sample comprised 6,899 adults (81.9% men) who were 18 years of age or older and were diagnosed with gambling disorder (GD). A total of 391,897 people who comprised the comparison groups were also included.

Sampling Procedure: People in this study had to meet a diagnosis of GD (or other mental health or behavioural disorder diagnoses) and be 18 years of age or older. Data were collected through The Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR) and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry (CDR).

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Norwegian Competence Center for Gambling and Gaming Research and the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Bergen.