Elif Aktan MUTLU, Deniz KOZAK, Aslı KOZAK, Başak KOZAK
Bağımlılık Dergisi - 2026;27(2):101-115
Objective: Gambling disorder (GD) is a public health concern frequently associated with psychiatric and alcohol/substance use comorbidities. While screening for blood-borne infections (hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)) is standard in substance use treatment, seroprevalence data among individuals with GD remain limited. This study evaluated psychiatric comorbidities, concurrent alcohol/substance use disorders, and HBV, HCV, and HIV seroprevalence in GD patients attending a behavioral addiction clinic. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 177 patients diagnosed with GD (DSM-5 criteria) at Ankara Etlik City Hospital (January-July 2025). Sociodemographic data, substance use history, and psychiatric comorbidities were extracted from medical records. Viral markers (HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV) were analyzed via ELISA. Statistical analyses included Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Participants were predominantly male (94,9%); mean age was 34,32+/-7,82 years. HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity were both 0.6%; no HIV-positive cases were detected. Psychiatric comorbidity was present in 59,9% of patients, and 16.9% had concurrent alcohol/substance use disorders. Significant risk factors for additional addictions were being childless (OR: 2,45, p=0.030) and having psychiatric comorbidity (OR: 12,38, p=0.001). Physical comorbidities increased psychiatric disorder risk 4,82-fold (p=0.027). Conclusion: Although viral seroprevalence was low, psychiatric and addiction-related comorbidities were prevalent among patients with GD. These findings underscore that a multidisciplinary assessment approach and targeted infection screening for appropriate high-risk individuals may be beneficial in behavioral addiction settings. Further studies with larger, diverse populations are warranted to confirm these observations.
