Incidence of essential tremor in three elderly populations of central Spain

Neurology. 2005 May 24;64(10):1721-5. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000161852.70374.01.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the incidence of essential tremor (ET) in three populations in central Spain using data from the Neurologic Disorders in Central Spain (NEDICES), a population-based survey of elderly subjects (65 years and older).

Methods: Individuals were evaluated at baseline (1994 to 1995) and at follow-up (a median of 3.3 years later in 1997 to 1998). The evaluation included a screening question for ET and a neurologic examination, when possible.

Results: Of 5,278 subjects evaluated at baseline, there were 256 prevalent ET cases. Eighty-three incident ET cases were identified among 3,942 individuals assessed at follow-up. The adjusted annual incidence rate (per 100,000 person-years) in the population aged 65 years and older was 616 (95% CI: 447 to 784). Sixty-four (77.1%) of 83 incident cases had not been diagnosed before our assessment.

Conclusions: The incidence of ET may be higher than previously recognized because a large proportion of patients with ET may never seek medical attention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Essential Tremor / diagnosis
  • Essential Tremor / epidemiology*
  • Essential Tremor / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sex Factors
  • Software Design
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires