ET and RLS UPDATED ACTUAL Questions
and CORRECT Answers
What is the prevalence of Essential Tremor (ET)? - CORRECT ANSWER -~1% overall; ~5% in
adults >60
What type of disorder is ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Most common movement disorder
What is the pathophysiology of ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Largely unknown; strong genetic
component
What type of tremor occurs in ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Action/kinetic tremor
What is the laterality of ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Bilateral
Which body parts are most commonly affected in ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Hands/arms; may
involve head and voice
What functional impairments are associated with ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Writing, eating,
drinking, applying makeup
What factors worsen ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Anxiety, stress
What factors improve ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Small amounts of alcohol
How long does it typically take for ET to present? - CORRECT ANSWER -Often several years
What medications can cause tremor? - CORRECT ANSWER -Stimulants, antidepressants, lithium,
amiodarone, albuterol, steroids, tacrolimus, levothyroxine
, What are other exacerbating factors for ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Stress, caffeine
How is ET diagnosed? - CORRECT ANSWER -Clinical diagnosis (rule out other causes)
What must be ruled out in the diagnosis of ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Parkinson's disease, lab
abnormalities, medication causes
What labs should be checked in tremor cases? - CORRECT ANSWER -Electrolytes, thyroid
function
When does ET tremor occur? - CORRECT ANSWER -With movement
When does Parkinson's disease (PD) tremor occur? - CORRECT ANSWER -At rest
What is the onset pattern for ET compared to PD? - CORRECT ANSWER -ET: bilateral; PD:
unilateral
What is the frequency of ET tremors? - CORRECT ANSWER -6-12 Hz
What is the frequency of PD tremors? - CORRECT ANSWER -3-6 Hz
How does alcohol affect ET compared to PD? - CORRECT ANSWER -ET improves; PD no effect
What is the family history like in ET cases? - CORRECT ANSWER -Often positive (>60%)
How does handwriting appear in ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Normal size, tremulous
and CORRECT Answers
What is the prevalence of Essential Tremor (ET)? - CORRECT ANSWER -~1% overall; ~5% in
adults >60
What type of disorder is ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Most common movement disorder
What is the pathophysiology of ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Largely unknown; strong genetic
component
What type of tremor occurs in ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Action/kinetic tremor
What is the laterality of ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Bilateral
Which body parts are most commonly affected in ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Hands/arms; may
involve head and voice
What functional impairments are associated with ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Writing, eating,
drinking, applying makeup
What factors worsen ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Anxiety, stress
What factors improve ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Small amounts of alcohol
How long does it typically take for ET to present? - CORRECT ANSWER -Often several years
What medications can cause tremor? - CORRECT ANSWER -Stimulants, antidepressants, lithium,
amiodarone, albuterol, steroids, tacrolimus, levothyroxine
, What are other exacerbating factors for ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Stress, caffeine
How is ET diagnosed? - CORRECT ANSWER -Clinical diagnosis (rule out other causes)
What must be ruled out in the diagnosis of ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Parkinson's disease, lab
abnormalities, medication causes
What labs should be checked in tremor cases? - CORRECT ANSWER -Electrolytes, thyroid
function
When does ET tremor occur? - CORRECT ANSWER -With movement
When does Parkinson's disease (PD) tremor occur? - CORRECT ANSWER -At rest
What is the onset pattern for ET compared to PD? - CORRECT ANSWER -ET: bilateral; PD:
unilateral
What is the frequency of ET tremors? - CORRECT ANSWER -6-12 Hz
What is the frequency of PD tremors? - CORRECT ANSWER -3-6 Hz
How does alcohol affect ET compared to PD? - CORRECT ANSWER -ET improves; PD no effect
What is the family history like in ET cases? - CORRECT ANSWER -Often positive (>60%)
How does handwriting appear in ET? - CORRECT ANSWER -Normal size, tremulous
