Objective: We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Essential Tremor (ET) in Edirne and its districts, located in Western Thrace, which is the most western part of Turkey.

Background: Essential tremor (ET) is the most common tremor disorder and among the most common neurological disorders (1-2) . The cause(s) of essential tremor (ET) remains poorly understood. Observers agree that persons with ET are prone to anxiety and depression; however, the reason for this is not clear (3-4) .

Method: In this study, 3008 individuals who could communicate and agreed to participate in the study were evaluated. To obtain the data from the applicants in 30 Family Health Centres in Edirne and its districts, a face-to-face questionnaire that consisted of 37 questions was prepared by the researchers. The questionnaire included general information, questions to evaluate potential concomitant comorbid conditions and questions regarding the symptomatology used in ET diagnosis, as well as questions to evaluate ET severity was examined with spiral test. Patients were classified by using Washington Heights-Inwood Genetic Study of Essential Tremor (WHIGET) diagnostic and clinical evaluation scale. According to the diagnostic criteria for ET (used in participants who were examined and in those whose medical records were reviewed) were similar to those used in a study conducted in Turkey.

Results: Of 3008 individuals, 173 were diagnosed with ET according to the questionnaire results from Edirne and its districts, and the prevalence of ET was 5.8%. Approximately, 43.4% of the patients with ET were male, and 56.6% were female, which was not significantly different (p>0.05). Participants with tremor related to alcohol withdrawal, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, depression other known causes of tremor were not considered to have ET. Thyroid disease was identified in 0.0 % of the cases and control group was detected in 1.4 %, which was not significantly different (p=0.170). Psychiatric disease was identified in 0.0% of the cases and control group was detected in 1.3 %, which was not significantly different (p=0.271).

Conclusion: ET prevalence studies will increase the awareness of the community and provide early diagnosis and treatment, as well as serve as a basis to reduce morbidity and improve the quality of life.

References: 1-Louis ED, Hernandez N, Alcalay RN, Tirri DJ, Ottman R, Clark LN. Prevalence and features of unreported dystonia in a family study of “pure” essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2013;19(3):359–62. 2- Louis ED, Ferreira JJ. How common is the most common adult movement disorder? Update on the worldwide prevalence of essential tremor. Mov Disord 2010;25:534–41. 3- Seijo-Martinez M, Del Rio MC, Alvarez JR, Prado RS, Salgado ET, Esquete JP, et al. Prevalence of essential tremor on Arosa Island, Spain: a community-based, door-to-door survey. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov; 2013;3. 4-Tanner CM, Goldman SM, Lyons KE, et al. Essential tremor in twins: an assessment of genetic vs environmental determinants of etiology. Neurology. 2001; 57:1389–91.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-prevalence-of-essential-tremor-in-edirne-and-its-districts-concomitant-comorbid-conditions/