Prevalence of essential tremor in Singapore: a study on three races in an Asian country

To investigate the prevalence of Essential Tremor (ET) in Singapore and compare the rates between Singaporean Chinese, Malays, and Indians, a community-based survey among a disproportionate random sample of 15,000 individuals (9000 Chinese, 3000 Malays, 3000 Indians) aged 50 years and above was conducted. In phase 1, trained interviewers conducted a door-to-door survey using a screening questionnaire for Parkinson's disease. In phase 2, medical specialists examined participants who screened positive to evaluate for the presence of postural or kinetic tremor of the upper limbs, or head tremor. Participants with suspected ET had their diagnosis confirmed in phase 3 by a movement disorders specialist and fellow based on the latest core diagnostic criteria. Forty participants with classic ET were identified. The prevalence rate (PR) of ET was 2.37 per 1000 (95% CI: 1.65-3.32), age-adjusted to UICC world standard population. The PR was significantly higher in males (p=0.01) and increased significantly with age (p<0.001). Indians (PR=4.94 per 1000, 95% CI: 2.63-9.04) were 1.8 times more likely to have ET than Chinese (PR=2.77 per 1000, 95% CI: 1.78-4.17) (p=0.08). No Malays with ET were identified. The data suggest that the prevalence of ET increases with age, is higher in males and may be higher amongst Indians.