Epidemiology of movement disorders in the adult population of Qatar: Prevalence, types, and demographics.

Background: Movement disorders encompass a range of neurological conditions affecting speed, fluency, quality, and ease of movement and including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and others. Understanding their epidemiology is crucial for effective public health planning and resource allocation. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiological trends of movement disorders in Qatar. Methods: This study is a retrospective descriptive epidemiological cross-sectional analysis based on available clinical data from individuals diagnosed with movement disorders at Hamad General Hospital from January 2014 until March 2025. Individuals of any nationality residing in Qatar, diagnosed with any type of movement disorder, and aged 18 years or older at the time of diagnosis were included. The key variables extracted from the medical records included the age at diagnosis, the gender, nationality, and the type of movement disorder of each patient. Results: A total of 3017 patients were evaluated, with tremors (54%) and Parkinson's disease (25.8%) being the most common diagnoses; Qataris made up 39% of the cohort. Tremor patients were predominantly male (62%) and under 60 years old, with Qataris and Indians being the largest groups. Parkinson's patients were mostly male (67%), diagnosed between the ages of 41 and 80 years. Dystonia and neuropathy were less common; dystonia showed a younger median age (45 years), while neuropathy cases, mostly Qataris, had a median age of 70 years. Conclusion: The findings underscore the influence of age, gender, and nationality on disease distribution. Despite its retrospective nature, the study lays important groundwork for future research. Prospective studies are needed to deepen understanding and support targeted healthcare strategies.