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Gambling behavior is partly the result of varied motivations leading individuals to participate in gambling activities. Specific motivational profiles are found in gamblers, and gambling motives are closely linked to the development of cognitive distortions. This cross-sectional study aimed to predict cognitive distortions from gambling motives in poker players. The population was recruited in online gambling forums. Participants reported gambling at least once a week. Data included sociodemographic characteristics, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the Gambling Motives Questionnaire-Financial and the Gambling-Related Cognition Scale. This study was conducted on 259 male poker gamblers (aged 18–69 years, 14.3% probable pathological gamblers). Univariate analyses showed that cognitive distortions were independently predicted by overall gambling motives (34.8%) and problem gambling (22.4%) (p < .05). The multivariate model, including these two variables, explained 39.7% of cognitive distortions (p < .05). The results associated with the literature data highlight that cognitive distortions are a good discriminating factor of gambling problems, showing a close inter-relationship between gambling motives, cognitive distortions and the severity of gambling. These data are consistent with the following theoretical process model: gambling motives lead individuals to practice and repeat the gambling experience, which may lead them to develop cognitive distortions, which in turn favor problem gambling. This study opens up new research perspectives to understand better the mechanisms underlying gambling practice and has clinical implications in terms of prevention and treatment. For example, a coupled motivational and cognitive intervention focused on gambling motives/cognitive distortions could be beneficial for individuals with gambling problems.

The main comorbidity and main cause of death in patients with severe PLH is respiratory failure.

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BackgroundEvaluation of sarcopenia is of major relevance because of these clinical repercussions on morbidity and mortality. Although the definition should include both low muscle mass and function, a combination of the 2 criteria was not reported in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs).ObjectivesTo determine in a cohort of IRDs the prevalence of sarcopenia using established combined criteria (EWGSOP) (1).MethodsSarcopenia defined as both low muscle mass (skeletal muscle index (SMI) <7.26 kg/m2 for men; <5.45 kg/m2 for women) and impaired muscular function (handgrip strength or gait speed) (1) was assessed in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsoA) patients before initiating first biologic. Body composition (DXA) and related factors were compared using univariate, multivariate and correlation analysis.Results148 patients were included (Table). Sarcopenia with decrease in muscle mass and function was observed in 5 RA (7.8%), one SpA (1.7%) and one PsoA (9.1%). Sarcopenia in terms of reduced SMI only (1) was not more frequent occuring in 5 RA (7.8%), 3 SpA (5.1%) and one PsoA (9.1%). Grip strength was decreased in RA as well as muscle mass compared to SpA and PsoA but the difference was no longer significant when adjusted on age, sex, disease duration (Table). Only fat distribution differed with a trunk/peripheral fat ratio higher in PsoA. In RA, lean mass was negatively correlated with disease duration and sedentary time. In SpA and PsoA, fat mass was correlated with age, disease activity, HAQ. HAQ and CRP level negatively correlated with lean mass. No association between treatments and body composition was observed.Table 1.Characteristics and body composition of patients with RA, SpA, PsoA [mean±SD; n (%)]RA (n=74)SPA (n=63)PsoA (n=11)p/p* Age, years59.5±11.744.1±12.054.6±11.0<0.0001Women54 (73)27 (43)6 (55)0.001Disease duration, years9±15.96.4±9.45.5±6.80.4Body Mass Index25.8±6.326.6±5.828.7±5.10.3DAS284.37±1.082.78±0.913.63±1.06<0.0001BASDAI50.8±17.249.6±17.70.8HAQ0.9±0.60.7±0.51.0±0.70.09CRP, mg/l16.4±21.311.9±14.310.7±13.60.3MTX54 (73.0)6 (9.5)6 (54.6)<0.0001Steroids41 (55.4)1 (1.6)1 (9.1)<0.0001NSAIDs18 (24.3)38 (60.3)7 (63.6)<0.0001Total lean mass, kg46.7±10.853.3±11.151.1±9.8 0.004/0.6SMI, Kg/m27.2±1.48.1±1.68.0±1.7 0.009/0.5Total fat mass, kg21.9±8.121.8±10.325.5±10.70.5/0.1Fat mass index (FMI), kg/m28.2±3.27.8±4.29.6±4.30.3/0.05Overfat (Body fat percentage >27% for men and 38% for women)18 (28)18 (30.5)4 (36)0.8Trunk/peripheral fat ratio0.97±0.300.99±0.331.23±0.26 0.04/0.02 *Adjusted for age, sex, disease duration.ConclusionsSarcopenia with combined criteria (muscle mass and function) occurred in 7.8% of RA corresponding to the values of the general population aged over 70 years-old (2). Reduced muscle mass only was not highly prevalent and lower than that reported in elderly suggesting important cofactors such as functional limitations or muscle quality in sarcopenia associated with rheumatic diseases.References Cruz-Jentoft AJ et al. Age Ageing 2010;39...

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The recent literature shows that the type of gambling practiced influences problem gambling. This study was aimed at investigating the factors associated with gambling type, including gambling severity, gambling motives, and cognitive distortions. A total of 291 regular male gamblers (229 skill gamblers and 62 mixed gamblers, i.e., those who play at least one game of chance and one skill game) were recruited online and assessed for gambling severity (South Oaks Gambling Screen), gambling motives (Gambling Motives Questionnaire-Financial), cognitive distortions (Gambling-Related Cognition Scale), and psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). After controlling for the number of games played and psychological distress, we found that gambling type was significantly associated with gambling severity. Moreover, controlling for psychological distress showed that gambling type was also significantly associated with coping motives and interpretative bias. First, mixed gamblers had higher severity scores and higher coping motivation than skill gamblers; second, skill gamblers seemed more at risk of developing interpretative bias. Thus, the gamblers presented different psychological, motivational, and cognitive profiles according to gambling type, indicating that different clinical interventions may be relevant. Working on coping motives and anxiety and depression symptoms with an abstinence purpose would be more suitable for mixed gamblers. Indeed, working on these points could lead to the gambler reducing or eventually ceasing gambling, as the need to regulate negative emotions through gambling behavior would fade in parallel. Gambling type, psychological distress, gambling motives, and cognitive distortions should be taken into consideration systematically in clinical interventions of patients with plural and mixed practice of games.