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Body mass index in essential tremor
Elan D Louis1, Karen Marder, Eva C Jurewicz
1Unit 198, Neurological Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 710 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032. EDL2@columbia.edu
Archives of Neurology
|August 8, 2002
Summary
Essential tremor (ET) patients have lower body mass index (BMI) than controls. Lower BMI in essential tremor correlates with increased tremor severity and duration, suggesting higher energy expenditure.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
Background:
- The underlying cause of essential tremor (ET) remains unknown, but neurodegenerative processes are suspected.
- Weight loss is a characteristic symptom observed in patients diagnosed with neurodegenerative conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare body mass index (BMI) between individuals with essential tremor and healthy controls.
- To determine the potential correlation between BMI and the severity and duration of essential tremor symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Essential tremor cases were recruited from the Neurological Institute of New York, with controls drawn from existing studies at the same institution.
- Body mass index (BMI) was calculated after measuring height and weight. Dietary intake was assessed using a Willett Semi-Quantitative Food-Frequency Questionnaire.
- Tremor severity was evaluated using a standardized clinical scale and the Klove Matthews Motor Steadiness Battery.
Main Results:
- Essential tremor cases (n=78) exhibited a significantly lower mean BMI (26.5 ± 5.0) compared to controls (n=242, 28.2 ± 4.8), even after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and education (P = 0.02).
- No significant difference in mean daily caloric intake was observed between the ET cases and control groups.
- In essential tremor patients, lower BMI was negatively correlated with both tremor severity (r = -0.22, P = 0.05 and r = -0.24, P = 0.03) and tremor duration (r = -0.22, P = 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Individuals with essential tremor present with a lower body mass index (BMI) compared to their non-affected counterparts.
- The observed lower BMI in essential tremor is associated with greater disease severity and longer duration, independent of caloric intake.
- This suggests that increased energy expenditure, rather than reduced calorie consumption, may contribute to the lower BMI observed in essential tremor.