Comparison of risk factors and work-up in young and middle-aged patients with TIA and ischaemic stroke

Background: The transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is accepted as a subtype of resolved ischaemic stroke. In that case, the risk factor profiles as well as the work‐up results of TIA and stroke patients should be similar in both groups. Given that such data are limited, we compared the risk factor profiles and work‐up results in young and middle‐aged patients with TIA and ischaemic stroke. Patients and methods: Data on 167 TIA patients and 489 stroke patients aged ≤60 were compared for risk factor profiles, work‐up results, and pre‐ and post‐event treatment regimens. Results: The only difference found between the groups in the distribution of vascular risk factors was a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes in the stroke group (P = 0.02). There were no differences found between the two groups in the distributions of carotid and aortic plaques, carotid stenoses and occlusion, homocysteine levels, or frequencies of patient foramen ovale by echocardiography. The levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as abnormal brain CT, were higher in the stroke group, both before and after adjustment. There was no difference found in any compared parameter of treatment between the TIA and the stroke patients. Conclusions: The risk factor profiles and the work‐up results are similar between the TIA and the stroke patients. These findings highlight the etiologic homogeneity of both conditions; therefore, justify their uniform management. In addition, low yield of CT in TIA patients was found, questioning thus the routine use of CT in work‐up of TIA.