Hereditary essential tremor in Buenos Aires (Argentina).

A descriptive trial of essential tremor in Buenos Aires city is proposed. It may be considered as the first one like this in Latin America. During a 15 year period, sixteen families with essential tremor diagnosis have been examined, making a total of 39 patients (20 males and 19 females). The disease was basically studied from its semiological, clinico-evolutive and therapeutical view point, following a protocol. Our results indicate -- a. The clinico-evolutive characteristics: its frequency (according to race, sex, social status, age of beginning and physiopathological type), morbidity and mortality, evolution, prognosis, triggering factors, longevity and multiparity. b. The different treatment given to our patients with discussion of their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic basis and evaluation of the best responses. In this matter, it is concluded that both primidone (750 mg/daily) and/or propranolol (160-240 mg/daily) are undeniably the drugs of first choice for the treatment of this disease. A comparison of the clinico-therapeutic features of this tremor in Buenos Aires and other cities is done. The study of this syndrome in Buenos Aires does not give different results from those obtained in Europe and USA.