PREVALENCE OF ESSENTIAL TREMOR - A DOOR-TO-DOOR SURVEY IN TERRASINI, SICILY

As part of a door-to-door neuroepidemiologic survey, we investigated t he frequency and distribution of essential tremor (ET) in a Sicilian m unicipality. During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument fo r tremor to 7,653 persons residing in Terrasini (Palermo province). Du ring phase 2, neurologists evaluated those subjects who had screened p ositive. The diagnoses, based on specified clinical criteria, were rev iewed to increase reliability across neurologists. We found 31 subject s affected by ET (17 men, 14 women); 11 patients (35.5%) reported a fa milial aggregation. The prevalence of ET as of November 1, 1987, was 4 05.1 per 100,000 for the total population, and 1,074.9 per 100,000 for those 40 years old or older. The prevalence increased with advancing age for both sexes and was slightly but consistently higher in men. Co mparison with other studies suggests striking geographic variation, wh ich may reflect genetic differences.