Ataxia in patients with dystonic tremor

Objective: To gather available scientific evidence on ataxia in patients with dystonic tremor. Methods: This is an integrative review. The following databases were used: Medline (via PubMed), Embase and Web of Science. In addition, a secondary search was performed in the reference lists of the included studies and in the gray literature. The eligibility criteria were articles that described patients diagnosed with dystonic tremor and ataxia. Results: A total of 105 studies were identified, of which 18 studies were included. Twelve of the studies are case reports and six are case series, with a total sample of 27 patients. Dystonic tremor in the upper limbs was present in almost 80% of the patients, followed by dystonic tremor of the head (33.3%) and dystonic tremor of the neck and lower limbs (14.8%). Several types of ataxias were identified. Final considerations: Cerebellar ataxia is a neurological condition with clinical heterogeneity that can be identified concomitantly with dystonic tremor. Dystonic tremor may be the initial presenting symptom. Multiple genes are responsible for ataxia; however, additional observational studies are needed to establish an association between ataxia and dystonic tremor.