Population-based case-control study of essential tremor

Current epidemiologic data on the association between environmental factors and essential tremor (ET) are scanty. In a population-based case-control s tudy we investigated the relationship between some putative risk factors an d ET. In the present study, we included all subjects identified during a do or-to-door prevalence survey in a Sicilian community, affected by ET, and a live on I November 1987 (n=31). Of the 31 prevalent cases of ET, we were ab le to contact 28 subjects. Twenty-eight controls were randomly selected fro m the general population and matched to each case for age and sex. Exposure variables were investigated by interviewing the patients and their control s or close relatives, using a structured questionnaire. The odds for habitu al alcohol consumption were 0.3, indicating a protective effect. The odds f or exposure to agricultural chemicals and domestic animals were 2.5 and 2.7 , respectively, suggesting a role as potential risk factors. However, the a ssociations found by us were not statistically significant.