Incidence of transient ischemic attacks and minor ischemic strokes in Segovia, Spain

Background and Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and minor ischemic strokes (MISs) in Segovia, Spain. Methods A 2-year prospective community-based register of TIAs and MISs was established in Segovia from February 16, 1992, to February 15, 1994. Every patient underwent a complete clinical evaluation and cranial CT scan. Sex- and age-specific incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for all ages. Results The total series included 235 patients; 103 suffered TIAs and 132 suffered MISs. Mean age was 70.8 years (range, 29 to 96 years); 92 were women and 143 were men. The crude annual incidence was 0.80/1000 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.90): 0.35/1000 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.42) for TIAs and 0.45/1000 (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.53) for MISs. The incidence of TIAs and MISs increased with age. Approximately 78% of TIAs and MISs were in the carotid distribution, 19% were vertebrobasilar, and 3% were considered of uncertain vascular distribution. Cranial CT scan was performed in all patients. CT showed cerebral infarcts in 30.1% (31/103; 95% CI, 21% to 39%) of TIAs and 70% (92/132; 95% CI, 62% to 78%) of MISs (P<.00001). Conclusions Our study is the first community-based register that provides sex- and age-specific rates for MISs and in which a CT scan was obtained in all patients. The incidence of TIAs in Segovia is comparable to that in other previous similar studies.