Essential tremor prevalence is low in Arabic villages in Israel

Abstract

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of essential tremor (ET) in Arabic villages of Wadi Ara.

Background

The prevalence ET which is higher than Parkinson’s disease in North America and Europe, differs according to study population and methodology. Since hospital record based epidemiology carries referral bias and might provide low estimates of ET prevalence, we carried a population based survey.

Methods

This door-to-door survey comprised the Arabic villages of Wadi Ara in Northern Israel. Consecutive residents who agreed to participate in the study and were older than 64 years at prevalence day, underwent neurological examination. Medical and family history, medication and response to medication were recorded.

Results

Of the 444 subjects that were approached, 428 agreed to participate in the study (refusal rate 3.6%). Four were excluded owing to severe systemic disease. The study population consisted of 424 subjects (54% men, mean age 74 ± 7 years). A clearly oscillatory action tremor of moderate amplitude was observed in 8 patients (age 75 ± 7 years). Six patients had another possible cause of tremor. The prevalence of ET was calculated as 1.89% (95% CI 1.76–2.0) when all tremor cases were accepted as possible ET and 0.47% (95 CI 0.43–0.52) when patients with other causes of tremor were excluded.

Conclusions

The prevalence of ET in Arabic villages of Wadi Ara is low.