Increased Prevalence of Non-Motor Symptoms in Essential Tremor (P04.046)

Objective: To evaluate whether patients with Essential tremor (ET) have an increased prevalence of anosmia, depression, constipation and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Background Cases of ET have been described with Lewy body inclusions, the hallmark of Parkinson disease (PD). Years before the appearance of their motor syndrome, patients with PD may suffer from anosmia, depression, constipation and RBD. Design/Methods: Patients with ET according to published criteria were enrolled. Telephone interviews were conducted to evaluate the presence or absence of anosmia, depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale - 15, constipation using Rome III diagnostic criteria and RBD using the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ). The Parkinson Disease Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (PD NMS) was used to detect other non-motor symptoms. Results: 46 patients participated in the study. Their mean age was 57.17 ± 19.48 (13-86), the mean duration of ET was 24.67 ± 19.80 years and the mean age of onset of ET was 31.49 ± 22.57. Of these, 4.5% reported olfaction change or loss, 43.5% had a RBDSQ score suggesting the presence of RBD, 21.7% had constipation, 23.9% had depression, whereas 37% had had depression in the past. In contrast, in the general population, prevalence of hyposmia / anosmia is 1.60%, or RBD is 0.38 to 0.5%, of depression is 5-17%. The prevalence of constipation in the general population is similar at 27%. Conclusions: Patients with ET have more RBD and more depression than found in the general population. Patients with dystonia and ET do not appear to represent a distinct entity according to our results. Larger studies with normal control groups are needed. Disclosure: Dr. Lacerte has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chouinard has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Novartis, Shires, and Prestwick. Dr. Chouinard has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity from Novartis. Dr. Chouinard has received research support from Novartis, Teva Neuroscience, Elan Corporation, Schering-Plough Corporation, Merck & Co., Inc., Kyowa, and Amarin. Dr. Jodoin has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, and EMD Serono. Dr. Jodoin has received research support from Abbott Laboratories, Inc. Dr. Bernard has received personal compensation for activities with Actelion Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc, Santhera, Venture in Research as a participant on advisory boards and research teams. Dr. Diab has nothing to disclose. Dr. Panisset has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Novartis, Allergan, and Merz.Dr. Panisset has received research support from Teva Neuroscience, Novartis, and Allergan.