Contemporary Epidemiology of Transient Ischemic Attack in Dijon, France (2013-2015)

Background: We aimed to evaluate the epidemiological features of transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods: All TIAs were prospectively collected in Dijon, France, using a population-based registry (2013-2015). TIAs were considered the first-ever in patients who had no previous cerebrovascular events (CVEs); otherwise they were considered recurrent TIAs. Annual incidence (first-ever TIAs) and attack rates (first-ever and recurrent TIAs) were calculated. Results: Four hundred twenty TIAs were registered (255 first-ever and 165 recurrent TIAs, mean age: 74.1 +/- 15.7 years). The age-standardized incidence rate (to the 2013 European population) was 61 (95% CI 46-76) and the attack rate was 81 (95% CI 64-99) per 100,000/year. Patients with TIA as a recurrent event had a greater prevalence of risk factors and preventive treatments. However, one third of them were not receiving anti-thrombotic agents or antihypertensive treatments, and half were not treated with statins at the time of their recurrence. The mean ABCD(2) score was 4.3 +/- 1.3, and 72% of patients had a high risk of recurrence (score >= 4). In patients with available MRI (23%), an infarct lesion was seen in 15.5%. Conclusions: TIA is a frequent occurrence and a large proportion of patients have a high risk of recurrence, thus highlighting the need to establish dedicated emergency services to administer prompt secondary prevention. (C) 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel