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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
05:54
MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
A population-based study of mortality in essential tremor
Elan D Louis1, Julián Benito-León, Ruth Ottman
1G.H. Sergievsky Center and Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. EDL2@columbia.edu
Neurology
|November 21, 2007
Summary
Essential tremor (ET) may increase mortality risk. This study found a higher risk of death in ET patients compared to controls, suggesting potential public health implications for this common condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Essential tremor (ET) is common, especially in older adults.
- Existing data on ET and mortality are limited.
- This study investigated the impact of ET on lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare mortality risks in individuals with essential tremor versus those without.
- To assess the public health implications of ET on life expectancy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, population-based study design was employed.
- Participants with ET and controls were evaluated in three Spanish communities.
- Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative mortality risk, excluding Parkinson disease and dementia cases.
Main Results:
- The study included 201 ET cases and 3,337 controls, with a mean age of 73.5 years.
- Mortality risk was elevated in ET patients (unadjusted RR = 1.59, adjusted RR = 1.45).
- A significantly increased risk of mortality was observed with longer follow-up periods (adjusted RR = 4.69).
Conclusions:
- Essential tremor is associated with an increased risk of mortality.
- Further research on incident ET cases is warranted to confirm these findings.
- These results highlight potential public health considerations for managing essential tremor.
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