A recognition tool for transient ischaemic attack.
BACKGROUND
Scoring systems exist to assist rapid identification of acute stroke but not for the more challenging diagnosis of transient ischaemic attack (TIA).


AIM
To develop a clinical scoring system to assist with diagnosis of TIA.


METHODS
We developed and validated a clinical scoring system for identification of TIA patients. Logistic regression analysis was employed.


RESULTS
Our development cohort comprised 3216 patients. The scoring system included nine clinically useful predictive variables. After adjustment to reflect the greater seriousness of missing true TIA patients (a 2:1 cost ratio), 97% of TIA and 24% of non-TIA patients were accurately identified. Our results were confirmed during prospective validation.


CONCLUSION
This simple scoring system performs well and could be used to facilitate accurate detection of TIA.