Risk factors of social anxiety in patients with essential tremor

ObjectiveTo study the risk factors of social anxiety (SA) in essential tremor (ET) patients. MethodsMotor, cognition, and SA were evaluated using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale (FTMTRS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) for each subject. The potential risk factors of SA in ET were analyzed using univariate analysis. ResultsA total of 80 ET patients and 85 healthy controls completed the evaluation. The LSAS evaluation showed that the prevalence of SA in the ET group was 48.8%, higher than that in controls (12.9%, P < 0.001). Female (OR = 4.959, P = 0.014), younger age (OR = 4.172, P = 0.037), and head tremor (OR = 4.707, P = 0.025) were risk factors of SA among ET patients. ConclusionSA is prevalent in patients with ET. Risk factors, such as female sex, age, and head tremor, should be considered for the prevention and intervention of SA in ET patients.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the risk factors of social anxiety in patients with essential tremor. Motor, cognition, and social anxiety were assessed using various rating scales. The results showed that the prevalence of social anxiety in the essential tremor group was significantly higher compared to the control group. Female sex, younger age, and head tremor were found to be risk factors for social anxiety among essential tremor patients. These findings highlight the importance of considering these risk factors for the prevention and intervention of social anxiety in essential tremor patients.