Evaluation of Clinical Findings and Anxiety Level Characteristics of Pediatric Patients with Familial and Sporadic Essential Tremor

Objectives: Essential tremor is a common movement disorder in children. This disease can lead to a decrease in quality of life. In this study, we aimed to determine the sociodemographic, clinical features of the disease and anxiety levels among familial and sporadic cases in children. Methods: Our study was carried out in a pediatric neurology training clinic in a single center. 217 patients were eligible for the study. In addition, Beck Anxiety Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAİ 1-2) were administered to 50 patients with essential tremor and a healthy control group of 50 children. Results: 163 (75.1%) sporadic and 54 (24.9%) familial essential tremor patients were included. Symptom onset age was significantly lower in familial patients than in sporadic essential tremor patients (11.0 ± 3.5 years, 12.1 ± 3.3 years, respectively). Beck anxiety score was found to be significantly higher in familial and sporadic essential tremor groups compared to the control group. The STAI 1 score was found to be higher in familial and sporadic cases compared to the control group. The STAI 2 score was found to be higher in the sporadic tremor group compared to the other groups. A positive correlation was found between Beck anxiety score and STAI 1 and STAI 2 scores in all groups. Conclusion: The age of onset of symptoms and anxiety levels differ in familial and sporadic essential tremor groups. These patients have a higher level of anxiety than healthy individuals and attention should be paid to this aspect in the follow-up.
Keywords: Essential Tremor, Anxiety, Child