Strokes could be predicted and prevention improved by use of a risk score developed by scientists at Oxford University, according to new research published by The Lancet in June 2005. The findings, part-funded by The Stroke Association, could mean a change to the way that people who have had Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) or “mini strokes” are assessed and treated.
Risk scoring offers stroke prevention hope
The Oxford-based Stroke Prevention Research Unit looked into ways of identifying which people who have had a TIA are at highest risk of having a stroke. They identified four factors that could predict this risk:
· Age of patients.
· Blood pressure.
· The clinical features patients presented with.
· Duration of TIA symptoms.
These predictive factors were combined to create the “ABCD score” as a way of quantifying this risk. The risk of stroke within seven days of TIA was over 30% in patients with a high ABCD score, whereas there were no early strokes in patients with low scores. Professor Peter Rothwell of the Stroke Prevention Research Unit, stated: “Although further validations and refinements will be helpful, the ABCD score can be used in routine clinical practice to identify high-risk individuals who need emergency investigation and treatment.”
