PREVALENCE OF MOVEMENT-DISORDERS IN ELDERLY COMMUNITY RESIDENTS

We studied movement disorders (MD) in community residents of Saskatche wan aged greater than or equal to 65 years. A representative sample of 70 individuals had detailed neurological evaluation. Those who had de finite and possible MD at first examination had a second neurological assessment by a senior neurologist. The most prevalent MD was essentia l tremor (ET) (14%) followed by Parkinson's disease (PD) (3%). The mar ked difference in prevalence ratios for PD and ET are attributed to: ( a) higher incidence of ET in the general population; (b) a greater pos sibility that most, if not all, ET cases would reside in the community whereas a sizable proportion of elderly PD cases may be institutional ized, and (c) shortened survival in PD but a normal life expectancy in ET.