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Rački V, Bergant G, Papić E, Kovanda A, Hero M, Rožmarić G, Starčević Čizmarević N, Ristić S, Ostojić S, Kapović M, Maver A, Peterlin B, Vuletić V. GiOPARK Project: The Genetic Study of Parkinson's Disease in the Croatian Population. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:255. [PMID: 38397244 PMCID: PMC10888376 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects motor function, autonomic functions, and cognitive abilities. It is likely that both genetic and environmental factors, along with age, contribute to the cause. However, there is no comprehensive guideline for genetic testing for Parkinson's disease, and more research is needed to understand genetic variations in different populations. There has been no research on the genetic background of Parkinson's disease in Croatia so far. Therefore, with the GiOPARK project, we aimed to investigate the genetic variants responsible for Parkinson's disease in 153 Croatian patients with early onset, familial onset, and sporadic late-onset using whole-exome sequencing, along with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and Sanger sequencing in select patients. We found causative variants in 7.84% of the patients, with GBA being the most common gene (4.58%), followed by PRKN (1.96%), ITM2B (0.65%), and MAPT (0.65%). Moreover, variants of uncertain significance were identified in 26.14% of the patients. The causative variants were found in all three subgroups, indicating that genetic factors play a role in all the analyzed Parkinson's disease subtypes. This study emphasizes the need for more inclusive research and improved guidelines to better understand the genetic basis of Parkinson's disease and facilitate more effective clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentino Rački
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (V.R.); (E.P.); (M.H.); (G.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Gaber Bergant
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (G.B.); (A.K.); (A.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Eliša Papić
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (V.R.); (E.P.); (M.H.); (G.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Anja Kovanda
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (G.B.); (A.K.); (A.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Mario Hero
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (V.R.); (E.P.); (M.H.); (G.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Gloria Rožmarić
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (V.R.); (E.P.); (M.H.); (G.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Nada Starčević Čizmarević
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.S.Č.); (S.R.); (S.O.); (M.K.)
| | - Smiljana Ristić
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.S.Č.); (S.R.); (S.O.); (M.K.)
| | - Saša Ostojić
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.S.Č.); (S.R.); (S.O.); (M.K.)
| | - Miljenko Kapović
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.S.Č.); (S.R.); (S.O.); (M.K.)
| | - Aleš Maver
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (G.B.); (A.K.); (A.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Borut Peterlin
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (G.B.); (A.K.); (A.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Vladimira Vuletić
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (V.R.); (E.P.); (M.H.); (G.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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Kristiansen MF, Mikkelsen RM, Kristiansdóttir T, Andórsdóttir G, Hansen SÓ, Á Steig B, Nielsen KR, Skaalum Petersen M, Strøm M. Cancer survival in the Faroe Islands over the last 50 years compared to the other Nordic countries. Int J Cancer 2023; 152:2090-2098. [PMID: 36727543 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
As sustained development in cancer treatment protocols have led to improved survival in most areas of the world, surveillance is needed to ensure that small populations follow suit. Our study reports age-standardized relative cancer survival in the Faroe Islands compared to the other Nordic countries. We present 1- and 5-year survival estimates and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the Faroe Islands and compare them with estimates for the Nordic countries. The data for this article has been obtained through the NORDCAN collaboration (2019 data). Age-standardized relative survival was estimated using shared R codes on individual-level data within each country. Ten-year calendar inclusion periods were used in addition to the usual 5-year calendar periods to include cancer sites with few cases, which is especially beneficial to the smaller populations. The primary findings were that 1- and 5-year survival were consistently lower in the Faroes for the summary group all sites but non-melanoma skin cancer for both women and men. Further, 5-year survival was lower for women with ovarian cancer and men with lung cancer than in other Nordic countries. Previously, breast cancer survival was low in the Faroes but has improved to a comparable level over the last few years. Colorectal cancer survival was relatively high for both sexes. The reported estimates in this article call for further research to investigate the cancers with lower survival and should call for actions to improve the survival of Faroese cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marnar Fríðheim Kristiansen
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,The Faroese Cancer Registry, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Centre of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Genetic Biobank of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | | | | | | | - Saeunn Ólavsdóttir Hansen
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,The Faroese Cancer Registry, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Bjarni Á Steig
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,The Faroese Cancer Registry, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Genetic Biobank of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Kári Rubek Nielsen
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,The Faroese Cancer Registry, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Genetic Biobank of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Centre of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Marin Strøm
- Centre of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kristiansen MF, Mikkelsen RM, Kristiansdóttir T, Rasmussen P, Andórsdóttir G, Hansen SÓ, Nielsen KR, á Steig B, Strøm M, Petersen MS. Cancer in the Faroe Islands from 1960-2019 - incidence, mortality, and comparisons with the other Nordic countries. Acta Oncol 2022; 61:907-915. [PMID: 35657096 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2022.2082885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: In this paper, we present age-standardized cancer incidence and mortality rates in the Faroe Islands. We also compare with the Nordic rates and show incidence rate ratios (IRR) and mortality rate ratios (MRR).Materials and methods: The Faroese cancer registry (FCR) was established in 1994, with incidence available from 1960 and mortality from 1983. The FCR is a part of the NORDCAN collaboration, where the different Nordic countries all report anonymized cancer data by standardized methods, ensuring comparability. Validation efforts revealed that 13% of cases had not been reported to the FCR from 2006 to 2019, emphasizing the need for continued validation efforts of cancer registries. After validation, we submitted the updated cancer cases to NORDCAN and now present this data, taken directly from the NORDCAN website (2019 data).Results: We found that the incidence of the summary group all cancers in the Faroe Islands increased from 1960 to 2019, while cancer mortality decreased from 1983 to 2019. Comparisons with Nordic rates showed significantly lower IRRs for cancer in all cancers, bladder and urinary tract, and skin cancer for both sexes, while IRR was lower for breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Contrary, IRR was higher for rectum and kidney cancer in women and esophagus and testicular cancer in men. There was an increased MRR for cancer in female organs, bladder and urinary tract, and kidney cancer in women, and esophagus and pancreas cancer in men. In contrast, malignant hematopoietic diseases and melanoma in women had a lower MRR.Conclusions: Cancer incidence in the Faroe Islands was lower than in the other Nordic countries. Of particular interest, the incidence of testicular cancer saw a steep increase during the last 20 years, and an investigation into possible causes for this is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marnar F. Kristiansen
- Center of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- The Faroese Cancer Registry, Faroe Islands Hospital Service, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Ronja M. Mikkelsen
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | | | - Páll Rasmussen
- The Faroese Cancer Registry, Faroe Islands Hospital Service, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | | | - Sæunn Ó. Hansen
- The Faroese Cancer Registry, Faroe Islands Hospital Service, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Kári R. Nielsen
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Bjarni á Steig
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- The Faroese Cancer Registry, Faroe Islands Hospital Service, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Genetic Biobank of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Marin Strøm
- Center of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Center of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Department of Occupational and Public Health, Faroe Islands Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
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Simpson C, Vinikoor-Imler L, Nassan FL, Shirvan J, Lally C, Dam T, Maserejian N. Prevalence of ten LRRK2 variants in Parkinson's disease: A comprehensive review. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2022; 98:103-113. [PMID: 35654702 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Variants in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) are risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD), but their prevalence varies geographically, reflecting the locations of founder events and dispersion of founders' descendants. METHODS A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify studies providing prevalence estimates for any of ten variants in LRRK2 (G2019S, R1441C, R1441G, R1441H, I2020T, N1437H, Y1699C, S1761R, G2385R, R1628P) among individuals with PD globally. We calculated crude country-specific variant prevalence estimates and, when possible, adjusted estimates for ethno-racial composition. For clinic-based studies, probands were used over other familial cases, whereas for population-based studies, all PD cases were used. RESULTS The analysis included 161 articles from 52 countries yielding 581 prevalence estimates across the ten variants. G2019S was the most common variant, exceeding 1.0% in 26 of 51 countries with estimates. The other variants were far less common. G2385R and R1628P were observed almost exclusively in East Asian countries, where they were found in ∼5-10% of cases. All prevalence estimates adjusted for ethno-racial composition were lower than their unadjusted counterparts, although data permitting this adjustment was only available for six countries. CONCLUSIONS Except for G2019S, the LRRK2 variants covered in this review were uncommon in most countries studied. However, there were countries with higher prevalence for some variants, reflecting the uneven geographic distribution of LRRK2 variants. The fact that ethno-racial group‒adjusted estimates were lower than crude estimates suggests that estimates derived largely from clinic-based studies may overstate the true prevalence of some LRRK2 variants in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Cathy Lally
- Epidemiology Research and Methods LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Ferrer M, Eliasen EH, Petersen MS, Jiang W, Zheng W, Louis ED. Meat Consumption and Meat Cooking Practices in Essential Tremor: A Population-Based Study in the Faroe Islands. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2020; 10:30. [PMID: 32864189 PMCID: PMC7427676 DOI: 10.5334/tohm.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Elevated tissue levels of the tremor-producing neurotoxin, harmane, have been detected in patients with essential tremor (ET) in the USA and Spain. Recently, a study in the Faroe Islands similarly noted an elevation in blood harmane concentrations in probable and definite ET cases. The underlying mechanism is not understood. Possible mechanisms include increased dietary consumption (esp. through cooked meats), impaired metabolism, or increased endogenous production of harmane. To investigate this issue further, we conducted a population-based study in the Faroe Islands to examine meat consumption and meat cooking practices in ET cases and controls. Methods 1,328 Faroese adults were screened for tremor and 27 ET cases were identified. Meat consumption and meat cooking practices were compared to 200 controls. Detailed data were collected via questionnaires regarding current meat consumption for 14 meat types and meat cooking doneness for 8 meat types. Data were also available on blood harmane concentrations. Results Current meat consumption was similar in ET cases and controls in 12 out of 14 meat types, with no differences observed after a Bonferroni correction in any meat type; no difference was observed when stratified by gender. No difference was observed in meat doneness between ET cases and controls. Blood harmane concentrations were not correlated with dietary data. Discussion This is the first population-based study of harmane-linked dietary factors in ET. The study suggests the observed difference in blood harmane in ET is not driven by dietary differences and is likely due to other mechanisms (e.g., impaired metabolism).
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Ferrer
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, US
| | - Eina H. Eliasen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, FO
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, FO
- Centre for Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, FO
| | - Wendy Jiang
- Purdue University School of Health Sciences, West Lafayette, IN, US
| | - Wei Zheng
- Purdue University School of Health Sciences, West Lafayette, IN, US
| | - Elan D. Louis
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, US
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Louis ED, Eliasen EH, Kim CY, Ferrer M, Gaini S, Petersen MS. High Prevalence of Dystonia in the Faroe Islands: A Population-Based Study. Neuroepidemiology 2019; 53:220-224. [PMID: 31430749 DOI: 10.1159/000502455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are fewer than 5 population-based studies of dystonia worldwide. Only one utilized a movement disorders neurologist. Given the potential for founder effects, and the highly genetic nature of dystonia, the Faroe Islands provide a particularly interesting setting to study the prevalence of dystonia. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of dystonia. METHODS We used a 2-phase, population-based design, screening 1,334 randomly selected Faroese individuals aged ≥40 years from which a subsample of 227 participated in an in-person clinical evaluation. Dystonia was assessed by 2 movement disorder neurologists using videotaped examinations. RESULTS Two of 227 (0.88%, 95% CI -0.33 to 2.09%) were diagnosed with cervical or segmental dystonia. An unusual form of thumb flexion dystonia was noted in 75 more, yielding a combined prevalence of 33.92% (95% CI 27.73-40.11%). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of cervical or segmental dystonia was as high as in one prior population-based study using similar methods. Furthermore, an unusual form of thumb flexion dystonia was uncovered, which yielded an extraordinarily high prevalence of dystonia in this population. Although our methods likely contributed to more complete capture of subtle dystonia, founder effects are highly likely to have been an additional major contributor to these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, .,Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, .,Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA,
| | - Eina H Eliasen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands
| | - Christine Y Kim
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Monica Ferrer
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Shahin Gaini
- Centre for Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands.,Division of Infectious Diseases, National Hospital Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands.,Centre for Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands
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Petersen MS, Lophaven SN, Lynge E, Weihe P. What does migration between the faroe islands and denmark tell us about the etiology of Parkinson's disease? Mov Disord 2019; 34:922-923. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.27692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public HealthThe Faroese Hospital System Tórshavn Faroe Islands
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre of Health ScienceUniversity of the Faroe Islands Tórshavn Faroe Islands
| | | | - Elsebeth Lynge
- Nykøbing Falster HospitalUniversity of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Pál Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public HealthThe Faroese Hospital System Tórshavn Faroe Islands
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre of Health ScienceUniversity of the Faroe Islands Tórshavn Faroe Islands
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Louis ED, Ferrer M, Eliasen EH, Gaini S, Petersen MS. Tremor in normal adults: A population-based study of 1158 adults in the Faroe Islands. J Neurol Sci 2019; 400:169-174. [PMID: 30954661 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
There are virtually no population-based data on tremor in normal individuals. Using a population-based sample of 1158 normal adults ages 40-98 years in the Faroe Islands, we characterized the extent of normal action tremor across age and gender strata. Participants drew two Archimedes spirals with each hand, and tremor was systematically quantified by a senior movement disorder neurologist using a reliable and valid ordinal rating scale (ratings = 0-3). Tremor was nearly universal - 1145 (98.9%) participants had a total mean spiral score > 0. Older age was associated with more tremor (p < .001) and spiral scores were higher in males than females (p < .001). The proportion of individuals with a spiral rating ≥ 1.5 (i.e., more than mild tremor) was low (1.8% - 8.5%); however, this value reached 19.6% in left-hand spirals of males ≥70 years old. In this population-based study of more than one thousand normal adults, the vast bulk (i.e., 98.9%) had tremor on spiral drawing. In general, the tremor was mild. The proportion of individuals with tremor above the mild range varied across age and gender strata. These extensive data may be used as a gold standard for defining normal levels of tremor within adult populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Monica Ferrer
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Eina H Eliasen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Shahin Gaini
- Infectious Diseases Division, National Hospital Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands; Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Centre for Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands; Centre for Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
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Eliasen EH, Ferrer M, Gaini S, Louis ED, Petersen MS. Prevalence of Essential Tremor in the Faroe Islands: A Population-Based Study. Neuroepidemiology 2019; 52:227-236. [PMID: 30889566 DOI: 10.1159/000499070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND No studies of the prevalence of one of the most common movement disorders, essential tremor (ET), have been undertaken in the Faroe Islands. Given the potential for founder effects in the Islands, and the highly genetic nature of ET, the Faroe Islands provide a particularly interesting setting in which to study the prevalence of ET. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of ET and study its characteristics. METHODS We used a 2-phase, population-based design, screening 1,328 randomly selected Faroese individuals aged ≥40 years. A subsample of 282 individuals who had returned the spirals and questionnaire was selected to participate in an in-person clinical evaluation. Tremor was systematically quantified by a senior movement disorder neurologist with particular specialization in tremor using a reliable and valid clinical rating scale followed by the application of rigorous diagnostic criteria used by tremor investigators internationally. RESULTS The overall crude prevalence was 2.9%. The age-adjusted prevalence was 3.1%. There was an age-associated rise in prevalence; by age ≥70, prevalence reached 4.8%. Twenty six of 27 (96.2%) were previously undiagnosed. CONCLUSIONS This is the first population-based study of the prevalence of ET in the Faroe Islands. The estimated prevalence was similar to studies using the same or comparable methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eina H Eliasen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital Systems, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands,
| | - Monica Ferrer
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Shahin Gaini
- Centre for Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands.,Infectious Diseases Division, National Hospital Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital Systems, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands.,Centre for Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faeroe Islands
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Olgiati S, Quadri M, Bonifati V. Genetics of movement disorders in the next-generation sequencing era. Mov Disord 2016; 31:458-70. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.26521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Olgiati
- Department of Clinical Genetics; Erasmus MC; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Marialuisa Quadri
- Department of Clinical Genetics; Erasmus MC; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Vincenzo Bonifati
- Department of Clinical Genetics; Erasmus MC; Rotterdam The Netherlands
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Joensen P. High prevalence of primary focal dystonia in the Faroe Islands. Acta Neurol Scand 2016; 133:55-60. [PMID: 26041438 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are no previous studies undertaken about primary focal dystonia in the Faroe Islands. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of these diseases in the Faroese population. METHODS Patients were ascertained and registered prospectively from January 1, 1994, through 2013 when they were examined at the Neurological Clinic of the Faroese National Hospital or at a private neurological practice, which together constitutes all the available neurological services in the Faroe Islands. RESULT On January 1, 2014, there were 29 individuals within the entire Faroese population of 48,100 with primary focal dystonia: 23 with torticollis, four with writer's cramp, one with oromandibular dystonia, and one with laryngeal dystonia; no one had blepharospasm. The prevalence of primary focal dystonia was 602 per million (395-873) (95% confidence limit). The most common subtype was cervical dystonia with a prevalence of 478 (332-728) per million. CONCLUSION The study yielded that (i) the prevalence of primary focal dystonia of 602 (395-873) per million is far higher in the Faroe Islands than that revealed in most other regions studied and (ii) the prevalence of the cervical dystonia subtype is far more common than elsewhere with the highest prevalence of 478 (332-728), which is higher than described in any previously published survey. As the study is serviced-based, the result may underestimate actual occurrence; thus, prevalence rates may be even higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Joensen
- Department of Medicine and Neurophysiology; Laboratory National Hospital of the Faroe Islands; Torshavn Faroe Islands
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