A comparison of risk factors for recurrent TIA and stroke in patients diagnosed with TIA

BACKGROUND: Some spells consistent with TIA may be benign, such as those produced by migraine or migraine accompaniments in the elderly. Distinguishing these from embolic or thrombotic events may be difficult. METHODS: Emergency department physicians identified patients who presented with a presumed TIA at one of 16 hospitals in Northern California from March 1997 through February 1998. Recurrent TIAs and strokes were recorded for 90 days afterwards. RESULTS: Of 1,707 patients in whom TIA had been diagnosed in the emergency department, 191 (11.2%) had a recurrent TIA and 180 (10.5%) had a stroke during 90-day followup. Independent risk factors for recurrent TIA were age >60 years (odds ratio 1.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.9; p = 0.003), history of multiple TIAs (odds ratio 2.9; 2.1 to 4.0; p < 0.001), duration of spell 10 minutes, diabetes, weakness, and speech impairment. Among the 30 patients with isolated sensory symptoms lasting

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