Category: Tremor
Objective: Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder, primarily affecting the upper limbs and often impairing daily functioning. Understanding the demographic and clinical profile of patients, as well as its association with other movement disorders, is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.
Background: Essential Tremor is the most common movement disorder, often affecting older adults and impairing daily activities. It may coexist with comorbidities and occasionally evolve into other disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Method: A retrospective review of patients with essential tremor at Cardiff and Vale University health board’ Parkinson’s Clinic was undertaken. Amongst approximately 1,200 patients with movement disorders, 100 individuals with essential tremor were included. Demographics, disease duration, diagnosis, presentation, family history, medication use, comorbidities, associated movement disorders, and tremor impact on daily activities were assessed
Results: Majority of patients were male (58%), median age being 70 years at presentation and median Clinical Frailty Score of 4 (47%). One quarter had a positive family history. There was a trend toward ET diagnosis after one to three years of symptoms. 56% reported a marked impact on activities of daily living, mainly affecting feeding, 50% were started on pharmacological treatment. Neuroimaging was performed in 62% of patients, with vascular changes seen in 25%. ET progressed to Parkinson’s disease in 8%, whilst diagnosis was revised to dystonic tremor in 6%. About half had a history of depression, 80% had cardiovascular disease, 38% reported sleep difficulties.
Conclusion: Essential tremor is associated with considerable functional disability and significant cardiovascular comorbidity highlighting need for routine vascular risk assessment. Regular follow up is vital, as a subset of patients may develop Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders over time.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
S. Ibrahim, S. Bano, R. Saini, S. Philip, B. Mohamed, S. Page. A retrospective Chart Review of Clinical and Demographic Patterns in Essential Tremor [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-retrospective-chart-review-of-clinical-and-demographic-patterns-in-essential-tremor/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-retrospective-chart-review-of-clinical-and-demographic-patterns-in-essential-tremor/