A comparison of risk factors and prognosis for transient ischemic attacks and minor ischemic strokes. The Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project.

In a community-based study of transient ischemic attack and stroke, we identified 184 cases of transient ischemic attack and 213 cases of first-ever minor ischemic stroke. A comparison of age, sex, and prevalence of coexistent vascular diseases and risk factors revealed no major differences between the two groups. The risk of further stroke and of further stroke and/or death was greater in patients with minor ischemic stroke although the difference was significant only for the latter. The apparent differences in prognosis could largely be accounted for by the favorable prognosis of patients with amaurosis fugax among those with transient ischemic attack. Although for some purposes it may be useful to distinguish transient ischemic attacks from minor ischemic strokes, the similarity of the two groups suggests that in many situations, including in clinical trials of treatments for the secondary prevention of strokes, the arbitrary distinction between them could be dispensed with.